TANJUNG MALIM: Thousands of dead fishes were found floating in Sungai Bernam today, believed to have been caused by pollution.
Sungai Selisik village head Ishak Ahmad, 50, said the discovery was made by residents as they were about to go fishing at the river, located near the Selangor border.
He said a report was lodged with the Perak Fisheries Department to be forwarded to the Department of Environment.
"The irresponsible act of some quarters had polluted the river, killing the fishes along the way.
"Cases such as this will affect the locals' livelihood as their earnings depend on the catch from the river. This issue must be dealt with seriously and the culprits must be brought to book," he told Berita Harian.
Ishak also expressed concern for the well-being of thousands of residents in the area as the river is a source of raw water for six villages there.
A Fisheries Department spokesman confirmed the report.
"Instructions have been issued to our officials at the Batang Padang district office to carry out an investigation," he said.
It is learnt that the officers from the department's Tapah district office are carrying out tests on the water sample taken near Behrang.