By Jerry Choong
SHAH ALAM, June 30 — The dumping of waste material into Sungai Chandong in Klang yesterday evening resulted in the river turning a visible shade of reddish pink, said state executive for the environment Hee Loy Sian.
He said that after the public provided information on the matter and the river’s colour went viral on social media, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) traced the location of the effluence to a drain behind a premise along Jalan Sungai Pinang, Pulau Indah.
“The coloured liquid is believed to have been released into the drain by irresponsible parties and subsequently flowed into a retention pond under the Drainage and Irrigation Department.
“The distance of the drain to the location of the pollution is estimated to be 1.32 km. Luas has conducted sampling for analysis in the laboratory to identify the quality and content of the pollution,” Hee said in a statement today.
The pollution eventually subsided early this morning due to the tides, with the river water returning to its normal state.
“Luas and other relevant bodies will conduct close monitoring to ensure Selangor’s water sources are preserved. It will also cooperate with the residents in the surrounding area to identify the perpetrators and take necessary action.
“The state government will not compromise with any who commits the crime of polluting water sources, with stern action taken under the Luas Enactment 1999. We ask all to be cautious of such activities and report them to Luas for immediate action,” he said.
