Pencemaran Alam Sekitar dan Pendekatan Mahkamah Hijau (Environmental Pollution and the Green Court Approaches)

Abstract

Environmental pollution is not a new phenomenon in any country. Generally, pollution happens due to uncontrolled development as well as the increment in population. Although several steps have been taken, the issue keeps increasing due to various reasons, either human activities or changes in the environment. Discharged of industrial effluent into the inland water particularly river has been identified as one of the reasons to the water pollution. Environmental Quality Act 1974 provides a punishment to curb the issue however the inland water pollution still occurs. This article aims to explain the establishment and functions of Green Court as well as examine the procedures of the court in giving judgment relating to inland water pollution. Qualitative methodology through library research was conducted and supported with interviews with three Green Court judges. Data from secondary source and interviews were analysed using content analysis. Among others, findings showed that the Green Courts have been established only in a few places, the judgment delivered by the judges depends on the evidences submitted during the proceedings, and the sentence imposed on the company polluter is the same sentence as on the individual polluter. It is suggested that awareness and training related to the importance of environmental protection been expanded to all judges, more training in conducting environmental cases to prosecuting officers dan clear provision as well as deterrent to company polluter. Based on the suggestions given hopefully it can reduce the activities and environmental pollution cases, particularly inland water pollution.

Abstrak

Pencemaran alam sekitar bukanlah sesuatu yang asing di mana-mana negara. Secara keseluruhannya, pencemaran berlaku sejajar dengan pembangunan yang tidak terkawal di samping pertambahan bilangan penduduk yang kian meningkat. Walaupun pelbagai usaha dilakukan, isu pencemaran terus berlaku malah semakin meruncing dengan sebab dan punca yang pelbagai, sama ada akibat daripada aktiviti manusia ataupun perubahan alam. Pelepasan efluen perindustrian ke dalam perairan daratan khususnya sungai, dikenal pasti sebagai satu daripada punca utama kepada pencemaran air. Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974 menetapkan hukuman tertentu bagi menangani permasalahan ini namun kes pencemaran perairan daratan masih terus berlaku. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan penubuhan dan fungsi Mahkamah Hijau di samping mengkaji pendekatan serta prosedur Mahkamah dalam menjatuhkan hukuman bagi kes-kes pencemaran perairan daratan. Kaedah kualitatif melalui kajian perpustakaan dilakukan dengan disokong oleh temu bual bersama tiga orang hakim Mahkamah Hijau. Data daripada sumber sekunder dan juga temu bual dianalisa menggunakan analisis kandungan dan analitikal. Antara lain, dapatan menunjukkan bahawa kewujudan Mahkamah Hijau hanya di beberapa tempat sahaja, hukuman yang dijatuhkan oleh hakim adalah tertakluk kepada pembuktian semasa pengendalian kes, dan hukuman yang dikenakan ke atas pesalah syarikat adalah sama dengan pesalah individu. Dicadangkan agar kesedaran dan latihan berkaitan kepentingan alam sekitar diperluaskan kepada semua hakim-hakim, latihan pengendalian kes alam sekitar kepada pegawai pendakwa dan peruntukan yang lebih jelas serta berat dikenakan kepada pesalah syarikat. Berasaskan kepada cadangan dikemukakan diharapkan dapat mengurangkan kegiatan dan kes-kes pencemaran alam sekitar, khususnya perairan daratan.

Kata Kunci: Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974; alam sekitar; hukuman; Mahkamah Hijau; perairan daratan