PUTRAJAYA, March 7 — Cooperation between the Federal and state governments is crucial in discussing issues related to water quality, including devising a strategy to conserve
for the conservation of river water quality, said Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar.
The Department of Environment (DOE) will refine the cooperation and commitment involving the Federal and state governments regarding pollution issues, which must be looked at comprehensively.
“This is particularly true of matters under their respective purviews as further discussion for joint coordination, so all related issues can be resolved holistically,” he said in a statement after attending the 2024 DOE Directors’ Meeting today.
Latiff added that during the meeting, matters related to the role and cooperation between the federal and state governments in controlling and dealing with the deterioration of river water quality in Malaysia were also discussed.
“The meeting also emphasised matters under the DOE’s functions and roles, which always require continuous improvement to ensure the quality of its service delivery meets the public’s expectations,” he said.
The meeting also served as a platform for the DOE to continue to commit to planning a framework related to controlling the sources of pollution from various activities so the department continues to be empowered, in line with the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Issues related to the environment need to be dealt with comprehensively, taking into account the Environmental Quality Report data issued by the DOE last year.
It indicated that out of the 672 rivers monitored, 486 rivers, or 72 per cent are in the clean category, 161 rivers (24 per cent) in the medium category, and 25 rivers (four per cent) are polluted.
— Bernama
