THE Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today has called on the government to realise its commitment to ensure access to clean water for its people through effective enforcement of the existing laws and review of the laws and policies in order to allow for stern actions against the perpetrators of water pollution.
Recurrent water pollution over the years has led to frequent disruption of water supply. The recent water pollution in the Selangor River has caused water cut to 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
The group said the disruption had posed various challenges to the people in the country in gaining access to clean water especially for those who cannot afford to buy bottled water while waiting for the water supply to be restored.
Among the vulnerable groups are older persons and pregnant women who may face difficulties in accessing water supply distributed via the water tank trucks especially those who live in flats without elevators, it stated.
Although the Selangor State Government has taken action against the alleged factory responsible for the recent water pollution in the Selangor River, Suhakam however, was concerned that the laws, namely the Water Services Industry Act 2006 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974 have not been successfully enforced to protect public health and the environment.
It noted that the recurring water pollution showed that critical gaps in these laws remained to be addressed.
At a press conference yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the factory responsible for the pollution of Sungai Selangor, located in Sungai Gong Industrial Area in Rawang, had been closed and ordered to vacate the land it occupied, the FMT reported.
An official notice would be issued to the factory owners on Monday.
In 2015, all member states of the United Nations including Malaysia have adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which ultimately aims to improve the lives and prospects of everyone around the world.
Goal 6 of the SDGs is to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. In this regard, Suhakam also stresses that business entities are also responsible to respect and protect human rights in the conduct of their activities. – Sept 6, 2020
