The factory responsible for the Sungai Gong water pollution which caused the unexpected Klang Valley water cuts has been operating illegally since 2014.
New Straits Times reported that the factory has been running without any official license or permission from the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), for the past 6 years.
As per the MPS data, the factory management had not submitted any application for an official license since 2014. MPS Corporate Department Director, Mohd Zin Masoad, said the local authorities have urged the factory twice to apply for a licence, after it was found to be operating without any proper documentation.
He said, “Apart from operating without permission, the factory which is believed to be involved in carrying out various other business activities had also constructed building structures within their premises without any written permission from MPS.”
“The owner or factory management did not send any application to conduct business,” he continued right after posting a notice in front of the factory yesterday (7th September). The notice is in accordance to Section 70 (1), Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974, which deals with constructing buildings or structures without permission from the MPS.
The pollution had caused four water treatment plants to halt operations. As a result, numerous people experienced sudden water disruption since last Thursday (3rd September). Seven areas were affected which includes Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, and Kuala Langat.
Air Selangor announced earlier today (8th September) that water supply has fully restored in certain areas including Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat. Full restoration for the other districts mentioned earlier can be expected soon.
Unfortunately, account holders in Klang and Shah Alam have to wait as only 59.3% of the water supply there has been restored.
Source: New Straits Times.
