In a statement today, the department said it conducted 5,074 inspections involving 4,339 premises nationwide between Jan 1 and April 30.

“The inspections involved various industrial sectors. They included crude palm oil mills, raw natural rubber factories, scheduled waste recovery facilities and sewage treatment plants considered at risk of causing environmental pollution,” it said.

The department said 148 offences were prosecuted between Jan 1 and April 30, resulting in court fines totalling RM4.59 million, as well as a one-day jail sentence.

It added that action was also taken in 3,149 cases against parties found breaching the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

The department also carried out 1,906 operations to check on 137,722 vehicles nationwide to curb air pollution caused by emissions.

As a result of the operations, compound notices, prohibition orders on vehicle use and 764 reinspection orders were issued to ensure vehicles complied with stipulated smoke emission standards.

The department said it had also stepped up efforts to curb the illegal entry of scheduled waste into Malaysia through 51 inspection operations at major ports, involving 702 containers suspected of carrying scheduled waste.

Inspectors found 427 containers containing scheduled waste, including electrical and electronic waste (e-waste). A total of 53 containers were returned to their countries of origin.

The department said it also conducted 3,237 investigations into open burning nationwide, including checks on 494 hotspots. It also deployed drones (409 flights) to strengthen environmental monitoring and enforcement efforts.