The Department of Environment (DoE) has warned people to stay away from the beach due to an oil spill that happened in the area recently.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the DOE said that they received a report on the oil spill on 12 October.

"The DOE received reports about the oil spill from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), the Negeri Sembilan Marine Department, the Melaka Marine Department, hotel operators, fishermen and residents. It was detected throughout 2km from Pantai Cermin, Port Dickson to Tanjung Tuan, Melaka.

"Following the report, DOE's investigation team has conducted inspections and collected samples from the polluted coastal areas and samples from the sea," they said adding that samples collected have been sent for analysis.

Catching the culprits

DoE officials also said that they were working together with officials from APMM and conducting sea patrols and monitoring the area using drones to detect the cause of the oil spill.

"The Port Dickson District Level Coastal Cleaning Action Committee and the Alor Gajah District Disaster Management Committee have been activated for the cleaning and disposal of greasy waste due to pollution by irresponsible parties," they added.

The also said that the case would be investigated under Section 27 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Guilty parties will be fined a maximum of RM500,000 or face imprisonment not exceeding five years if convicted under the act.