THE Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has slammed the state government for failing to address the pollution of Sungai Pinang in George Town.
Its president Datuk P. Murugiah said although some areas along the river are clean, most of it is filled with microplastics, organic and chemical waste as well as carcasses of dead animals.
He said students and teachers from the nearby Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (T) Ramathasar as well as residents living along Sungai Pinang have been continuously forced to endure odour pollution despite complaints lodged with the specific authorities.
“When approached by PHA, the school officials aired their grievances with great concern. Parent Teacher Association (PIBG) chairman Anilan Subramaniam said the foul smell was so strong that the school windows and doors have to be kept shut in order to minimise the stench and keep the flies and mosquitoes from invading the classrooms,” he stated.
Muguriah said children and the general public should be protected from odour pollution and the relevant authorities should take the complaints seriously as this could lead to multiple health problems related to respiratory infections and neurodevelopment.
“Upon visiting the site, it was found that many parts of the river were filled with discarded plastic bottles and waste materials,” he pointed out.
“A dead monitor lizard was also found to be drifting in the river. Furthermore, the back of school walls was piled with used plastic bottles and dirty Styrofoam boxes that has potential to be a high-risk mosquito breeding ground.
“Ironically, this clutter was found right under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) anti-dumping signage warning the public of a RM500 fine for strewing rubbish.
“Even shocking was that the cleaning contractors assigned by the state government were found to be dumping rubbish below that very own signboard! If you are making the same mistakes as others you want to be an example to, you cannot truly be a positive role model.”
Murugiah urged the authorities to take the matter seriously and take swift action to resolve the matter before the pupils and staff of SJKT Ramathsar as well as the residents along Sungai Pinang River fall sick and are forced to seek long term medical care.
“Displaying warning signages has obviously shown to be ineffective here. PHA suggests that more regular and stringent checking need to be carried out by MBPP and the installation of CCTV cameras along the target areas will also be a proactive measure to monitor and prevent irresponsibly rubbish dumping,” he said.
He said MBPP should also invest in waste management in order to implement comprehensive strategies to efficiently manage wastes from their origin until their final disposal stage.
“Educating the public to streamline the process of disposing, reducing, reusing, and preventing waste should also be high in MBPP’s agenda. The public should also be made aware of the consequences of disposing single-use plastics and Styrofoam boxes,” Murugiah urged.
“Scheduled rubbish collection by the City Council should also be strictly monitored by the relevant authorities.
“If this is left unchecked, there is a high possibility for Penang to earn back the moniker ‘Darul Sampah’”. – Dec 17, 2024
