KUALA LUMPUR: The number of rivers categorised as "clean" have increased from 408 (61 per cent) in 2019 to 486 (72 per cent) in 2023, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said rivers categorised as "polluted" had gone down to 25 or four per cent of rivers last year, from 59 (nine per cent) in 2019.
He said the Environment Department had monitored 672 rivers through the river water quality monitoring programme, with 1,353 manual river water quality monitoring stations.
"In total, there is an increase in river water quality nationwide in the last five years between 2019 and 2023.
"The ministry and department are always committed to controlling pollution of the environment in the country, especially regarding sources of pollution governed by the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its associated regulations.
"In the context of river pollution, there are various sources of pollution that pose a risk to the deterioration of river water quality, including urban activities, livestock farming, agriculture and commercial activities that lack proper effluent or sewage treatment systems."
Nik Nazmi said this in response to a question from Dr Mohamad Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani), whoa wanted to know about the ministry's efforts in tackling river pollution in the country.
He added that as the main cause of river water quality deterioration stemmed from various sources under different jurisdiction, the issue needed to be addressed in an integrated manner with the involvement of the federal and state governments, as well as local authorities.
Among steps taken to address the issue include increasing enforcement activities against pollution sources, identifying complaint hotspots, enhancing cooperation with other enforcement agencies, and organising public awareness campaigns.
"As decided in the National River Water Quality Degradation Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in June and August this year, the responsibility of maintaining river water quality is a shared one, and must be given serious attention by all those involved."