Two Men Face Life-in-Prison for Polluting Selangor’s Water Resources

By Karissa Lund  •  27 Nov 2020 in News

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Water pollution causing water disruption in Selangor is such a common offence but the punishment for it is often just fines. This time, however, the authorities are adamant to send out a message to irresponsible parties who knowingly cause harm to millions of people.

According to NST, a company director and a road contractor are the first to be charged under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) 2012 with committing sabotage on water services in Selangor.

Contractor, R.Nathan, 42, and company director, Lim Kian Aik, 42, both pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to them before Selayang Sessions Court Judge Maziah Joary Mohd Tajudin. They were charged with intentionally committing sabotage to disrupt water services in Selangor at No 32, Jalan Velox 2, Taman Velox, Rawang, Gombak between 2 and 10 November.

Deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad reportedly said that the case must be tried in High Court as it involved national security.

“The charge under Section 124K involves national security, and the trial would be under the procedures of Sosma. There is no bail and we are clear on that,” Iskandar said.

Lawyer Erni Ahmad from the National Legal Aid Foundation who represented Nathan, said the prosecution’s move of not offering bail to his client was ultra vires (beyond the power) of Article 5 and 21 of the Federal Constitution.

“My client works as a contractor with a monthly income of RM2,500 is the sole breadwinner of his family, and has diabetes,” she said.

On the other hand, Lim’s lawyer Harcharanjit Singh requested for bail on the grounds that his client was a married man with four children, aged between 11 and 17.

“In this case, my client has given good cooperation to the authorities. He is a director of an active company and the sole breadwinner of his family,” he said.

Both men were denied bail and the court has set 8 January 2021 for mention.