JOHOR BARU: A non-executive director of a used tyre processing factory claimed trial to abetting three others to dispose of scheduled waste into Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang last month.

Singaporean Sim Wei Der pleaded not guilty when the charge was read out to him before Sessions Court judge Jailani Rahman.

The 50-year-old was charged with abetting N. Maridass, Yap Yoke Liang and Wang Jing Chao to dispose oil waste and sludge that were listed in the First Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005 into Sungai Kim Kim.

The disposal of the waste was done without prior approval from the Department of environment.

The accused is alleged to have committed the offence near the Sungai Kim Kim bridge­-widening project site, Jalan Kota Masai 1, Pasir Gudang, between 12.01am and 1am on March 7.

The charge, under Section 34B (1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, read together with Section 42, is punishable under Section 34(B)(4) of the same Act.

If convicted, Sim faces a jail term of up to five years and a maximum fine of RM500,000.

The court allowed Sim a bail of RM250,000 in two local sureties and ordered him to report to the Pasir Gudang police station on the 15th of every month.

Jailani also fixed May 23 for mention.

The prosecution was represented by Johor prosecution director Amir Nasruddin while lawyer Joshua Tay appeared for Sim. — Bernama