Why were penalties for water pollution increased?

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Penalties for Water Pollution Increased Due to Substantially Higher Cleanup Costs

Penalties for offences such as water pollution and the illegal disposal of scheduled waste have been significantly increased, with the maximum fine now set at RM10 million. This escalation in penalties was deemed necessary as the actual costs incurred from such environmental crimes far exceed previous fines. The amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 also introduce minimum fines and mandatory imprisonment, reflecting a more stringent approach to environmental protection.
Increased Fines Reflect Actual Cleanup Expenses

The Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2022, passed by the Dewan Rakyat, mandates a maximum penalty of RM10 million for serious environmental violations. This adjustment is a direct response to the substantial financial burden associated with rectifying pollution incidents. For example, the cleanup operation at Sungai Kim Kim in Johor alone cost upwards of RM6 million, a figure that dwarfed previous penalty limits.
Selangor Incident Highlights Significant Remediation Costs

Further underscoring the need for higher penalties, an incident in Selangor involving the shutdown of a water treatment plant demonstrated the extensive costs associated with river treatment and repair. These expenses, separate from the provision of water via tankers to affected communities, were considerably higher than earlier penalty structures accounted for. These real-world examples illustrate that existing fines were insufficient to cover the economic impact of environmental degradation.
Amendments Include Stricter Punishments and Imprisonment

Beyond increased fines, the amended Environmental Quality Act 1974 now includes more severe punishments across 28 revised sections. Offenders may face minimum fines of RM5,000, alongside mandatory imprisonment of up to five years. This multi-faceted approach aims to deter environmental damage through a combination of financial and custodial penalties.
Compound Rates Also Raised Significantly

In addition to court-imposed penalties, the compound rate for related offences has also been substantially increased. Previously capped at RM2,000, the new compound limit can now reach up to 50 percent of the maximum fine applicable to the offence. This measure provides authorities with a greater capacity to penalise less severe violations without resorting to full court proceedings, while still imposing a more meaningful financial deterrent.

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Why were penalties for water pollution increased?

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