By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
KLANG, 13 June — A total of 86,021 metric tons of garbage have been collected from Sungai Klang since 2016 through the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project using two garbage collection vessels — Interceptors 002 and 005 — and seven log booms.
Lumayan Landasan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin said out of that amount, 51 per cent of the garbage consisted of non-organic waste.
“The cleaning of Sungai Klang has been carried out since 2016. In the earlier stages of the operation, 1,492 metric tons of garbage were cumulated, and in total, 86,021 metric tons have been collected.
“Out of that amount, 49 per cent is organic waste, while 51 per cent is non-organic waste. Out of the totality of the non-organic waste collected, 80 per cent consists of plastic,” he said during a briefing session at Mangrove Point, Port Klang, today.
The briefing session was a collaboration between LLSB and Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI, together with the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB).
Earlier, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad took the time to inspect the operations of the Interceptor 005 garbage collecting vessel in Sungai Klang.
Speaking to the media, Nik Nazmi congratulated the Selangor government for its success in cleaning up the river.
“I have visited the Interceptor 005 vessel, which functions to capture waste in the river, especially plastic.
“According to the report given, the waste in Sungai Klang has decreased, and so has the smell. Previously, Sungai Klang was classified as Class Five, and now it is Class Three. So, congratulations to the state government,” he said.
In the same event, Nik Nazmi also witnessed the signing ceremony of the collaboration between LLSB and UNGCNMB in developing a sustainability framework and action plan for the SMG project.
Syaiful Azmen represented LLSB, while UNGCNMB was represented by its executive director Faroze Nadar.
MBI became the first state investment and asset management body in Malaysia to join UNGCNMB. MBI was represented by its chief financial officer, Zannifa Azura Ahmad.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi announced that the 70-acre Mangrove Point Park, developed near Sungai Klang, will be open to the public soon.
The minister said the park, developed under the SMG project, aims to provide the community with an opportunity to appreciate the mangrove forest, which serves as a carbon sink.
“This is a positive effort to allow the public to appreciate the mangrove forest, which is a better carbon sink compared to regular forests, in addition to capturing plastic waste.
“If not properly preserved, it will have an impact. I have been informed that several areas will be further improved to be developed as eco-tourism sites in Selangor,” he said during an evening interview here.
Previously, state executive councillor for infrastructure Izham Hashim had announced that the RM10 million park will be equipped with a surau, restrooms, and camping and recreational areas, besides offering fishing activities.
With an ecosystem that has existed for over 100 years, the location is expected to become a popular attraction for both local and international tourists once it is fully opened.
Visitors can explore the park starting from the information centre, and take a 1.6-kilometre walk to witness the beauty of flora and fauna.
