JOHOR BARU: Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, which gained nationwide attention last year due to toxic pollution, has been rehabilitated and is now transformed.
A check at an upriver area, in Taman Pasir Putih and Kampung Bukit Plain, found that the water which was previously blackish and full of oily spots, has become clean and clear.
The stench that was previously prevalent during the pollution incident that shocked the country last year was also gone.
Plants that are now thriving on the riverbanks have further beautified the area, giving it an almost soothing feel.
Kampung Bukit Plain village head Zulkifly Kassim thanked the federal and state governments for successfully rehabilitating the river.
He said the villagers were in disbelief that the river that was once categorised as one of the dirtiest in the country has been rehabilitated and was now as clear as it was 30 years ago.
"Sungai Kim Kim has never been this clean; it had turned blackish and its surface full of oily spots in the last 10 years.
"The villagers have become used to the pollution in the river for the last 10 years, but the toxic pollution incident last year became the turning point for the river.
"All the villagers are grateful and touched that the river which had a negative reputation have become clean and beautiful once again," he said when met while surveying the area.
In the March 7 incident last year, a number of students in Pasir Gudang suddenly passed out and suffered symptoms like headaches, nausea and vomiting due to toxic pollution in the river.
The incident affected some 6,000 residents in Pasir Gudang, especially students, forcing 111 schools in the area to close temporarily.
A 1.5km portion of the river that was found to be polluted had undergone cleaning process with a total of 1,500 tonnes of river water and 900 tonnes of sludge disposed of.
Resident Nur Satria Rabu thanked the authorities for conducting consistent monitoring to ensure that the river was no longer polluted.
She said the river had previously become a dumping site for irresponsible parties who dumped various toxic waste there, but constant monitoring had put a stop to such activities.
She said officers from the Department of Environment have also been seen taking samples from the river.
"In the last two weeks, work to deepen the river have also been conducted by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, which should also solve the flash flood problem.
"What is more pleasing is the river has become cleaner and clearer since the Movement Control Order was imposed last March," she said, adding that the villagers have vowed to ensure that the river would be maintained and report any suspicious activities in the area to the authorities.