JUST remove all factories located along river areas and place buffer zones on both sides of the rivers under national security protection.
DAP MP Charles Santiago said water pollution cases are getting too much and both the State and Federal Governments need to act fast.
“Enough is enough. There is a limit to our patience. Just remove the factories erected near rivers.
“Do you know how much losses people are suffering? And we going through the conditional movement control order (CMCO) this time,” he told FocusM.
Earlier today, news portal The Vibes reported that the SSP 1, 2, and 3 and Rantau Panjang water treatment plants will be closed at 12.20pm after an 8 TON (Threshold Odour Number) odour pollution was detected in Sungai Selangor.
Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) said the shutdown of the four water treatment plants will affect Petaling, Klang, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Langat and Kuala Selangor.
Last month, Klang Valley suffered a water cut due to pollution in the same river. At the time, Santiago urged the Government to form the National River Protection Agency to stop errant companies from polluting rivers ever again.
The agency would be empowered to designate rivers and its buffer zones between 50 metres and 100 metres on both sides by protecting them under national security laws.
Irate with the latest case, Santiago said the Government needs to provide infrastructure support to ensure scheduled waste management system is fully complied by all factories.
“The Department of Environment (DOE) must monitor and ensure factories comply with the scheduled waste management system.
“However, I have been told that DOE needs more manpower to enforce the rule. Plus, there are also leakages in the process which needs to be addressed,” he noted.
The former chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) added the Government should also call for a meeting with third party waste disposal companies.
“The Government should just tell them to stop this nonsense once and for all. They must be told if such action continues, the Government will not spare the rod any longer,” he added.
On Selangor state government’s decision yesterday to raise the fine against water polluters to RM1 mil and a mandatory jail term, Santiago observed it may not solve the problem.
“The best way is to put rivers and its surrounding areas under national security. This will empower Luas to do monitoring and protect the areas as well,” he said. – Nov 10, 2020
