BOTH the federal and state government should cooperate and form the National River Protection Agency to stop errant companies from polluting rivers ever again.
Speaking to FocusM, Klang MP Charles Santiago said that this will ensure that rivers and its surrounding areas will come under the protection of national security laws.
Earlier today, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) announced an unscheduled water cut affecting millions in the Klang Valley.
The decision was made after Air Selangor found contamination in Sungai Selangor 2am today, which forced a stop-work order being issued on Phase 1, 2, 3 and Rantau Panjang water treatment plants.
Astro Awani reported the Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man saying that the pollution was caused by some irresponsible quarters dumping pollutants in the river, in the wee hours of the morning.
Calling it a major disruption, Santiago said it was frustrating that such a thing is happening way too often.
“And this is happening when we are now under the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
“How are the people to practise social distancing while queuing up for water? Businesses in Klang Valley are losing billions as well,” he said.
Higher fines may not work
Santiago, who is the former chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), said that in the draft proposal of the National River Protection Agency, they have recommended that the government place the river and a buffer zone between 50 metres and 100 metres, on both sides of the river, as national security areas.
“With that, the government can install CCTVs, drones and even have security forces protect the designated areas,” he said.
On the federal government’s idea to increase fines against polluters, Santiago said it may not be much of a deterrent.
“If the irresponsible people can dump waste worth RM5 mil into the river, an increase of fine from RM1 mil to RM2 mil means nothing to them,” Santiago said.
He added that it seemed that the government does not have the political will to implement stricter measures despite losing billions in revenue.
“The government should also compel companies to come up with a scheduled waste management system.
“For now, not many companies seem to have them. That is why our rivers end up being their rubbish bin,” Santiago added.
In Sept, four brothers were arrested for allegedly polluting Sungai Gong, which flows to Sungai Sembah, one the main rivers connected to Sungai Selangor.
The pollution caused water disruption in the Klang Valley, with 1.2 million residents affected. – Oct 19, 2020
