A TOTAL of RM8.2mil was spent on river maintenance and waste disposal by Kuala Lumpur (RM4.5 mil) and Selangor (RM3.6 mil) from January to September.
Of that amount, RM166,320 was spent on waste disposal works in the Jinjang Flood Reservoir, while RM150,000 annually goes to the upkeep of the Sungai Udang tributary.
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Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said during a working visit to Sungai Jinjang on Monday (Nov 6) that a collective approach to waste disposal could curb pollution, reduce flood risks and lower river maintenance costs.
Also present was Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
"There are two main rivers that pass through Pasar Borong Selayang and the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market, namely Sungai Jinjang and Sungai Udang tributary.
"To ensure the (smooth) flow of river water and reduce flood risk, the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) Kuala Lumpur, through the Klang River Basin Office and Gombak DID, have addressed the rubbish stuck in trap structures such as gross pollutant traps, log booms and trash rakes," Nik Nazmi said.
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"The collection frequency... depends on the needs at both rivers. Maintenance work has to be carried out to preserve sustainability because these two rivers pass through relatively densely populated residential areas (which contributes to) the amount of rubbish in the trap structures," he added.
Based on maintenance records, as much as 60 tonnes of rubbish was collected around the Jinjang Flood Reservoir in 2021.
Last year, a collection of 59 tonnes was recorded, while 36 tonnes of rubbish were picked up from January to September this year.
Nik Nazmi urged the community to show more concern for rivers and to refrain from dumping rubbish to lower the risk of flooding and improve environmental sustainability as well as for their own well-being.
Meanwhile, Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, who was also present during the working visit, said that based on market visits by the relevant agencies, it was found that concessionaires Alam Flora and Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) carried out cleaning according to schedule.
"Two Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) bins are provided at the market (Pasar Harian Selayang).
"This is also the meeting point for the authorities for both Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, DBKL and Selayang Municipal Council, respectively.
"Based on checks, the solid waste in the river comprises domestic waste," he said.
He added that MPS has given its commitment to enhance enforcement at the market area, where if any trader is caught disposing of rubbish indiscriminately or polluting the river, their business licence will be revoked immediately.
"The reality is that this area comprising two kilometres along the tributary is also densely populated," he added.
