KUCHING, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Three companies involved in the manufacturingand palm oil industries in Sarawak have been charged so far this year withdischarging effluents without complying with the Environmental QualityRegulations.Sarawak Department of Environment (DOE) Director Dr Abdul Rahman Awangsaid Monday that in the latest case, a palm oil mill in Kuching divisionwas fined RM15,000 last month for not meeting the DOE standards for thedischarge of effluents.

"Manufacturing and agro-based industries like those with effluents fromcrude palm oil processing are the main culprits but rubber mills are doingfine because their raw effluents are recycled," he told reporters afterthe opening of a training course on "Introduction to Cleaner Production(CP) for Industrial Sectors", here, It was opened by EnvironmentalTraining Institute Malaysia (EiMAS) director Hashim Daud.

Thirty people are attending the two-day course organised by Eimas, anagency set up under the DOE to conduct training programmes for officersand personnel from the DOE and related agencies as well as the privatesector.

Dr Abdul Rahman said two more cases were pending trial while another fivecompanies were expected to be prosecuted soon.

-- BERNAMA