In his press statement yesterday, he said he had received numerous complaints from the residents there.

He hoped the factory would deal with the alleged foul air that was coming from the plant.

If it failed to do so, Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, suggested that the plant be shut temporary until a satisfactory solution was reached.

The MP, who grew up in Sibu, said he had stayed in the neighbourhood some decades ago, and therefore, what the residents went through now, he understood how they felt.

He said he had been to the plant before and found the environmental condition there undesirable.

"There were not as many families in the neighbourhood when I was staying there. But, the residential and industrial areas there are booming today. This means the situation today could be more serious."

Tiong felt the plant operator should not think only of profit. "Environmental and health hazard affecting the people in the surroundings equally important."

He said the plant might have improved the situation now, but, he hoped they would maintain the standard. "Do not fall back to the same problem again."

Although the plant had indicated that it was quite impossible to move their operation elsewhere, Tiong said even if they really moved, the problem would be back to square one if they did not improve.

"In any business operation, the people, especially the neighbours, should not become victims, and in such a situation that causes environmental concern, I feel the ministry concerned should intervene."

Tiong said factories should consider upgrading their equipment in such an age of technological advancement.

Meanwhile, Tiong pointed out to another environmental hazard in Bintulu, saying that he had also received numerous public complaints. "There are complaints of saw millers sneaking out at night to burn sawdust and wood debris.

"Do not think that when you do this under the cover of the night, no one will know."

He said the sufferings of the neighbours would tell and the truth would be revealed.

For some mills, he said they had been in existence for more than a decade, and for the profits that they had made, they should have a heart for the people.

He said some enforcement officers had said that they did not dare to act against some mills owned by influential people for fear that they themselves would be in trouble.

But, Tiong said the law should be fairly applied to all, and when there was a wrong doing, the culprit must face the laws.