KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd said there is no physical evidence to show that Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) was the cause of the Sungai Johor ammonia contamination.
In a statement issued yesterday, Sime Darby Plantation said water samples were taken from various points in both Sungai Remis and Sungai Sayong (both lead into Sungai Johor) and tested at labs.
The results and physical verification conducted on the site shows there was no clear evidence the mill or the estate could be the cause of ammonia contamination.
The company has been cooperating with the authorities including the Department of Environment, Badan Kawalselia Air Johor and Syarikat Air Johor since Wednesday.
To further confirm that fact as well as to rule out the possibility of contamination from fertilizer application in the estate, the company said that in the interest of transparency and open disclosure, Sime Darby Plantation will update the authorities on these results and assist them in further
investigation.
Sime Darby Plantation confirmed that the company had received a notice of 60-day suspension of licence for its Ulu Remis Palm Oil Mill from the Department of Environment of Johor on 14 July 2016.
The notice was issued due to an overflow of treated POME in one out of 109 field furrows.
It said these effluent overflow traces have been contained and captured by its field control trenches to ensure there were no spillages into any waterways.
The notice was issued to rectify this 1 furrow, which, as of July 16th, has been done.
Sime Darby Plantation said it will continue to cooperate fully with the local authorities to determine the actual cause of high ammonia content in Sungai Johor.
The company said it is committed to protecting the environment and conserving biodiversity through sustainable development.