IPOH: The pollution at Sungai Meru in Jelapang here was not caused by dumping of industrial effluent, but due to carelessness.

Acting Perak Environment Committee chairman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin said two workers from the responsible glove factory had forgotten to turn off the valve of a tank after washing it, causing rubber latex to be flushed out to the river.

“The tank had been washed and the two workers forgot to turn off the valve.

“When the raw material was being transferred into the tank from a tanker, it went straight out, ” he told reporters after visiting the factory on Friday (April 10).

“If we see from the video on the river, there are still some pieces of rubber, and not industrial effluents that are dumped on purpose, ” he said, adding that the factory has permission to operate during the movement control order.

Mohd Akmal said the incident is believed to have taken place on Thursday (April 9) from 3pm to 4pm.

He said about a 1km stretch of the river was affected.

“The factory was also late to inform the government, only letting us know on Thursday at about 11pm.

“The Department of Environment has taken samples from the river to be analysed, ” he said.

“We have also ordered the factory to clean up the river immediately, ” he added.