Johor Department of Environment officers taking water samples from Sungai Pandan in Kampung Melayu Pandan, Johor Baru. — Courtesy photo
THE government needs to impose stricter laws to address environmental issues, especially concerning water pollution.
Safe Johor River founder Poh Pai Yik proposed that polluters be slapped with longer jail term, heavier fines and even whipping for committing environmental-related offences.
He said illegal chemical dumping incidents in Johor waterways this month clearly showed that irresponsible parties had no respect for the laws.
“Illegal dumping of chemical substances into Johor’s rivers has been going on for years, yet we do not see a solution to the problem,” he said when contacted.
Poh said the government should enhance environmental laws and impose heavier fines to prevent pollution incidents from happening.
“A meagre fine sends a wrong message as offenders know they can get away with it,” he pointed out.
He said the relevant authorities should get to the root of the problem.
He opined that both the Federal and Johor governments should have learned a lesson from the illegal dumping of toxic waste into Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor on March 7, 2019.
Poh says the issue of polluted rivers in Johor has been going on for many years.
“But similar illegal dumping of chemical waste incidents at three rivers in Johor occurred within two weeks in September.
“This should be stopped to prevent yet another Sungai Kim Kim episode,” said Poh.
The illegal dumping of toxic waste into Sungai Kim Kim affected the health of over 2,000 people and forced the temporary closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang.
Johor Baru Sessions Court on Nov 30, 2019, fined the lorry driver involved in the incident RM100,000 for illegal disposal of scheduled waste into Sungai Kim Kim and causing pollution.
Poh also urged the relevant authorities to demolish squatter settlements along Sungai Skudai, Sungai Tebrau and Sungai Pandan in Johor Baru.
He said squatters were treating rivers as open dumping sites by throwing rubbish and other wastes into them.
He stressed that illegal small and medium-sized factories operating along the river as well as oil palm plantations and vegetable farms should be dealt with too.
“Johor has experienced water disruption issues in the past due to contaminated rivers. Rivers are the main source of raw water supply,” said Poh.
He said Sungai Skudai and Sungai Tebrau were badly polluted recently due to uncontrolled economic activities along the river banks, squatters and illegal dumping of waste.
On Sept 3, a strong chemical odour was detected around Taman Daya, Taman Mount Austin and Taman Istimewa, which spread to Kampung Melayu Pandan in Johor Baru.
The source of the odour was from Sungai Pandan.
On Sept 4, some 38 villagers of Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan in Kota Tinggi were forced to move out due to toxic fumes in Sungai Linggiu.
On Sept 9, several locations around Johor Baru district reported a strong chemical odour early in the morning believed to be caused by pollution in Sungai Tebrau.
