Court of Appeal clears Felda Palm Industries of effluent discharge offence, orders RM18,000 refund

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 12 — The Court of Appeal overturned Felda Palm Industries Sdn Bhd's conviction and RM18,000 fine for exceeding prescribed effluent discharge limits. A three-judge panel dismissed the Sessions Court's conviction and upheld the company's appeal. Justice Azman stated that concerns about the Department of Environment's handling of effluent samples called into question the analysis by Malaysia's Chemistry Department.

The company presented lower BOD readings from three days, and the prosecution failed to present any rebuttal evidence. The fine was ordered to be refunded. The incident occurred on July 24, 2018, at Kuantan's Felda Palm Industries palm oil mill, where effluent was found to have a three-day BOD content of 130 mg/l - exceeding the 100 mg/l limit under Environmental Quality Act 1974.