A worker clearing rubbish under the Sungai Skudai bridge. — Photo courtesy of Safe Johor River
JOHOR environmental groups want lawmakers to raise environment-related issues at the state assembly sitting next month.
Safe Johor River founder Poh Pai Yik asked the state to be more proactive in addressing existing environmental issues and coming up with long-term solutions.
“Johor must give equal attention in protecting and preserving the environment while progressing to become a developed state by 2030,” he said.
Poh said instead of submitting questions based on what had been reported in the media, the assemblymen should first do their homework.
Poh: Johor’s polluted rivers have been an issue for many years.
“There is a lot of information on social media platforms,” he said.
He added that assemblymen needed to expand their awareness on matters affecting the rakyat in their day-to-day life, including environmental issues.
Poh also proposed that health committee chairman Ling Tian Soon meet with Johor-based environmental organisations before the start of the sitting.
“The meeting will give him first-hand information on matters related to the environment in Johor,” he said.
Among the pressing issues, Poh said, were Johor’s polluted rivers that needed to be rehabilitated and restored.
The river pollution, which have been an issue for many years, was from industrial waste, agricultural waste and wastewater.
Failure to clean up rivers could lead to water disruptions as they were the main supply of raw water, he said.
Nur Syazwani suggests gazetting seagrass meadows.
On another issue, Kelab Alami project manager Nur Syazwani Ali suggested that the state government gazette the seagrass meadow in Johor.
“The move will ensure the seagrass meadows are protected from any development, including land reclamation activities.”
Seagrass meadow or seagrass bed is an underwater ecosystem formed by seagrass found in shallow coastal waters and the brackish waters of estuaries.
They act as a sanctuary for various marine life such as seahorses, starfish, clams, edible sea snails, prawns and the elusive dugong.
“The meadow bed is also a breeding ground for fish species such as grouper, stingray, alligator pipefish, horseshoe crabs and ikan lepu (toadfish),” said Nur Syazwani.
Seagrass also helped to protect the coastline from storms and rising tides as the grasses take the energy out of the waves hitting the coast while their roots act as an anchor in the underwater sand, she added.
Nur Syazwani said Beting Tanjung Kupang (Merambong shoals) in Pendas, Gelang Patah, and the estuary of Sungai Pulai were the two main areas in Johor that were rich in seagrass.
“Rich seagrass is also vital for the livelihood of villagers and fishermen as it ensures the underwater ecosystem is bountiful with fishes and crustaceans,” she said.
