Ahmad Maarop JC:

On 13 January 2000 the Malacca Sessions Court convicted and sentenced the appellant to a fine of RM75,000 in default one year imprisonment on a charge of discharging effluent into inland waters (Malacca river) contrary to reg. 8(1)(b) of the Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations (the Regulations) without a licence, an offence under s. 25(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974(EQA) punishable under s. 25(3)of the same Act.

More specifically the charge preferred against the appellant is as follows:

Bahawa kamu Malaysian Vermicelli Manufacturers (Melaka) Sdn. Bhd., Batu 4, Batu Berendam, Daerah Melaka Tengah, di dalam Negeri Melaka, pada 27 November 1996 jam lebih kurang 12.00 tengahari, didapati tanpa lesen melepaskan effluen ke dalam pengairan daratan melebihi kepekatan yang ditentukan di bawah Peraturan 8(1)(b), Peraturan-Peraturan Kualiti Alam Sekeliling (Kumbahan dan Effluen-Effluen Perindustrian) 1979, dengan itu kamu telah melakukan kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 25(1), Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling, 1974 (Pindaan) 1996 boleh dihukum di bawah Seksyen 25(3), Akta yang sama.

The trial commenced on 12 July 1999. The appellant cl