Activities Report 1999 Sept Newsletter
Heavier penalty for violators of the Street, Drainage
and Building Act.
The Malaysian Nature Society welcomes the
court case result that found Kemas Anggun guilty of not repairing their
silt traps and causing the mudflow that flooded Taman Cuepacs. It is encou-raging
to see local government authorities make the effort to check on the insolence
of such viola-tors especially in critical areas like hillside slopes and
institute legal action to ensure compliance.
However, a fine of RM25,000 in this
instance does not pose a deterrent for companies who through violations
do not give due regard to the safety or well-being of the environment which
includes the residents themselves. A heavier sentence within the scope
of the Act should be imposed so as to act as an effective deterrent to
prevent recurrences of similar violations. The maximum sentence should
also be reviewed to keep pace with current day values. Furthermore, it
recommends that companies that flout these rulings once too often should
also be blacklisted for other housing or construction projects in the future.
The public too can play an important role in informing
authorities of violators whose construction works bring damage and hardship
to those around the area. This should be followed up by checks and constant
monitoring by enforcement officers from relevant authorities. Development
is inevitable for our country that is growing economically and in population
but let it not be at the price of our environment.
Kuala Lumpur 30 July 1999 (NST2/8; Malay Mail 3/8)
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Created on 3rd Sept 1999