ISKANDAR PUTERI, Oct 21 — Every state must have a pollution prevention and river cleaning action plan to deal with Malaysia’s river pollution issue.
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the plan is critical to ensure that river pollution can be effectively handled and eventually resolved altogether.
“Integrated action should be implemented, and a prevention of pollution and river cleaning action plan must be put in place in every state to outline the steps the related agencies should take according to their scope and power.
“I recommend it be streamlined by the State Environment Action Committee, which is chaired by the environment exco of each state government. I think this is the best way for integrated action to be taken,” he said to the press after the National Environment Day 2023 launch at Iskandar Puteri Forest City today.
The Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, launched the event.
Also present were Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
According to the Water Quality Index, 29 out of the 672 rivers nationwide were in the polluted category last year.
The states listed with polluted rivers include Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Sarawak, Selangor, and the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory.
Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Latiff said enforcement activities and daily patrols of hot spots will be increased at peat land areas and waste disposal sites with open burning potential following the hot and dry spell.
“Of course, at the DOE level, we will continue monitoring and increase our patrols at the hot spots or areas which can easily catch fire.
“All parties are advised to refrain from open burning. We will take action against the offenders, or if we cannot pinpoint who they are, the owners of the land or premises will be liable,” he said.
— Bernama
