KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has criticised the behaviour of some of its residents who prefer to dump garbage in rivers instead of designated areas.
State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the authorities have detected this practice by some residents living along several rivers in the state.
"I would like to stress that river pollution is not only caused by economic activities like agriculture and illegal logging but also by the villagers themselves.
"Many of them (the villagers) who live along rivers in the state still use the waterways as a way to dispose of their garbage.
"River pollution not only causes discomfort but is harmful to people's health as there are still many village areas that depend on the river for food and daily income," he said.
Hlimi was speaking at the state-level National Environment Day celebration here today.
Also present was State Environment Department director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamaruddin.
Hilmi said the state government always takes appropriate measures and actions to ensure that the environment is healthy and clean.
"But these efforts are not enough because of the irresponsible and selfish attitude of some people in the community," he added.