Prosecution incompetent in Sungai Gong case, decries Peka

Environment rights group Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) took the prosecution in the Sungai Gong case to task for being incompetent in handling the case that affected 1.2 million residents of Klang Valley who had to endure massive water cuts.

“Despite the seriousness of the pollution, the prosecution had completely failed to call expert witnesses and to present technical evidence reflecting gross incompetence and a lack of diligence,” said Peka president N Rajesh and secretary general R Vimala in a joint press statement.

“Their lackadaisical attitude had effectively sabotaged the pursuit of justice for one of Malaysia’s worst environmental crimes.

“Such prosecutorial negligence has not only betrayed public trust but also emboldened polluters who now believe they can poison rivers with impunity.

“This disaster underscores systemic failures in enforcement, prosecution and industrial compliance.

“The Sungai Gong pollution stands as a damning indictment of a lack of enforcement that continues to endanger Malaysia’s rivers. soil and public health.”

Two days ago Shah Alam High Court Hazlina Hussain upheld the acquittal of four company directors of Yip Chee Seng & Sons Sdn Bhd and its general manager who were charged with polluting Sungai Gong in Rawang by dumping hazardous materials into the river five years ago.

She agreed that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case and failed to call officers from the chemistry department and environment department to provide evidence.

She added that the prosecution also did not challenge the alibis of all the accused at the time.

Additionally there were discrepancies between samples taken from the contaminated water treatment plant and those taken from the company’s premises.