By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Oct 21 — The Selangor government is looking into the process of relocating factories and premises that are located near the rivers in the state in an effort to protect the raw water source, says its Menteri Besar.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, however, said the process may take some time as it involves several procedures and should meet a win-win situation with the parties involved.
“It is our intention (to relocate the factories) but we need time to do so. Some of the factories are legal factories and there are a lot of matters (to look into).
“But we are committed and I have instructed Ng Sze Han and Hee Loy Sian to do a monthly or bi-monthly checks with the local councils to do the cleanup the best and soonest possible,” said Amirudin in reference to the state executive councillors for local government and environment, respectively.
Amirudin was speaking during a press conference broadcasted on Facebook, addressing the water issues in the state, held at the Selangor State Secretariat building, here today.
Citing the recent pollution incident of Sungai Gong in September, Amirudin said not all premises that had caused river pollution are situated in close distance to the rivers.
“For example the workshop that had caused the Sungai Gong pollution and was shut down, it was located two kilometres away from the river, not right by the river. So there are a lot of things (to be considered).
“There is a process (we need to adhere to) to relocate, especially the legal factories and those that have high economic growth but require improvements… it has to be a win-win situation.
“Efforts are ongoing now, and we are expediting the process and improving what has already been done,” said Amirudin, adding the use of drone technology to monitor the rivers beginning November would also help in identifying premises that are located in critical and high-risk areas, such as Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat.
