22/04/2008 (Bernama), Kota KInabalu - Palm oil millers in Sabah who have yet to comply with the Department of Environment (DOE) directive on effluent management will be dragged to court.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said DOE was in the midst of collecting proof before errant mill owners are taken to court as a one year respite given to them to comply ended last May.

"We had a meeting with the palm oil millers in 2006 and they agreed to comply with the directive by May 2007 but sadly, some have yet to comply citing several reasons including failure to find the right technology to treat effluents."

"Installing the treatment equipment is not that expensive, only about RM1.5 million compared with the huge profits made," he told reporters after opening a seminar on effluent treatment and air pollution system here today.

He said only 85 percent of the palm oil millers had complied with the DOE directive and that the respite period would not be extended.