KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — The amendment to the Water Services Industry Act 2006 will be able to strengthen the efforts to combat polluters and ensure the sustainability of raw water supply sources nationwide, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Speaking in a press conference at the Parliament building lobby, he said this is based on Selangor’s experience, following the amendment to the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) Enactment 1999.
The enactment’s amendment in November 2022 raised the maximum fine for water polluter offences to RM1 million from RM500,000. Since then, only two incidents of water pollution were reported in Selangor, compared to about eight in 2020.
“This action to increase (fines) in addition to enforcement done in the coastal areas and riverbanks has, to some extent, had a positive effect in Selangor.
“Legal actions and structural actions are not the only (preventive measures), I believe the ministry has proposed several educational processes through water saving campaigns, the World Water Day, Sahabat Air…these are all part of a continuous effort that should be strengthened over time,” Amirudin said.
Earlier today, during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the amendment to the Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament in June.
He added it is currently being reviewed, before being sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The amendment will see the current RM100,000 maximum fine raised to to RM10 million, while the prison sentence will be increased from a year to a maximum of 15 years.
— Bernama
