River polluters warned of court action

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TUARAN: The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has issued a stern warning that it will take river polluters to court if they continue to pollute them.

Its minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said that palm oil mills were not the only culprits in polluting rivers in the east coast of Sabah.

“Opening up of new lands also contributes to it,” he said at the Sepilok Orangutan Appeal UK cocktail party at Rasa Ria Resort here.

According to Masidi, he has assigned his assistant minister, Datuk Ellron Angin, to conduct more on-site inspections of the rivers in the east coast of the State and six rivers have been identified to be critically polluted and needing immediate attention.

He said these rivers incidentally have the most number of palm oil mills.

He warned the polluters that ample time has already been given to them to clean up their acts and ensure the level of pollution from their mills is minimised or risk being prosecuted in court.

“They have been given reminders and warnings.”