GEORGE TOWN: The increase in river pollution cases has prompted the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) to demand urgent and immediate action from the government to enforce existing environmental laws, prevent industrial activities near rivers and implement stringent policies that target pollution at its source.
According to CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader, Malaysia is rich in water resources, with around 98 per cent of its water needs coming from rivers and streams.
He said, unfortunately, many individuals and entities neglected the care of the rivers, resulting in severe pollution issues.
"We urge the government to take immediate action to strengthen enforcement, revise policies and implement preventive measures.
"By combining these efforts, we can safeguard our rivers and ensure cleaner water for future generations," he said today.
Two days ago, it was reported that discharge from a sewage plant located in a residential area near Sungai Sekah, Nilai in Seremban was suspected of causing the river water to turn black and emit a foul odour.
According to the Environmental Quality Report 2023, 25 (four per cent) of the 672 rivers monitored were polluted, 161 (24 per cent) were slightly polluted, and 486 (72 per cent) showed good water quality.
In general, the decrease in river water quality recorded last year was attributed to an increase in the pollution load on the river from point sources and nonpoint sources.
Mohideen said despite various government efforts, our rivers continued to be polluted.
He said instead of relying on constant clean-up projects, it would be cheaper and more effective to focus on protection and conservation.
He said the Energy Transition and Water Transformation was recently quoted by media stating that the Special Committee to Address the Deterioration of River Water Quality through the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia would spearhead the working committee to identify new types of pollutants.
The National Water Council meeting had also agreed on the need to establish a working committee to examine the threat of water pollution in Malaysia by involving all stakeholders to ensure that the problem can be dealt with immediately.
"The formation of this new committee, dedicated to identifying emerging pollutants and developing policies to strengthen administration related to new types of pollutants in the nation's water sources, is a commendable initiative.
"While understanding the types of pollutants affecting our waterways is crucial, addressing the root causes of the pollution is essential for providing the long-term protection our rivers desperately need.
"Thus, our current approach must evolve to prioritise prevention, enforcement, and stringent policies that address pollution at its source.
"The ongoing pollution issues highlight a critical spatial planning and enforcement gap. Although environmental regulations exist, they would be effective only if enforced stringently. Inaction or delayed responses from authorities allow polluters to continue harmful practices with little fear of consequences," he added.
Elaborating, Mohideen said approximately 50 cases of river pollution were reported in Selangor this year.
According to the Selangor Public Health and Environmental Exco, Jamaliah Jamaluddin, enforcement of the amended LUAS Enactment that provided for heavier penalties had succeeded in reducing water pollution cases compared to 2023.
The amended LUAS 1999 Enactment of 2020 included mandatory imprisonment, increasing fines from a maximum of RM100,000 to a minimum of RM200,000 and up to RM1 million for unlicensed water source pollution.