KL detains tanker for dumping sludge

KL detains tanker for dumping sludge

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has detained a Greek-registered tanker suspected of dumping sludge off eastern Pahang state, the latest in a spate of pollution incidents in recent months, reports said yesterday.

The Astro Gamma was detained by Pahang's department of environment after it was spotted discharging sludge on Sunday by air force surveillance planes about 48 kilometers (29.76 miles) off the coast.

Sludge is an oil waste generated when tankers clean their storage compartments.

Environment officials said yesterday they were collecting samples of the waste for use as evidence in court. Malaysia last month detained another Greek-registered ship, the World Aretus, in its waters after the vessel was photographed dumping waste off eastern Trengganu state.

The case followed six other dumping incidents in May.