JOHOR BARU — Enforcement efforts by the Johor Department of Environment (DoE) have revealed illegal open burning and improper handling of electronic waste following public anxiety caused by reports of a strange burning odour in several parts of the district.
During a targeted operation at the Maju Jaya Industrial Park, authorities discovered that an engineering factory had been conducting open burning of various waste materials within its premises.
Action was subsequently taken under relevant environmental laws prohibiting open burning.
The multi-agency raid was carried out after residents reported foul odours believed to resemble burning industrial material. While the DoE later confirmed that the detected burning activities were not directly connected to the mysterious smell, enforcement action was still deemed necessary.
In a follow-up move, enforcement officers raided a scrap metal recycling facility at Jalan Kempas Lama. No abnormal smell was detected during the inspection, but the premises was instead found to be unlawfully storing scheduled e-waste without the required permit.
The DoE has taken enforcement action against the operator while MBJB initiated further measures under local authority provisions.
The department assured that investigations are ongoing and more operations will be conducted to determine the exact source of the mysterious odour. Members of the public are encouraged to continue lodging reports through official environmental complaint channels.
