Selangor’s Zero Discharge Policy aims to compel industries to better manage waste instead of dumping into drains, rivers and other water sources.
SAFEGUARDING rivers and water resources remained a top priority for Selangor this year, with the state implementing innovative policies and strengthening enforcement.
24These are aimed at addressing pollution, ensuring water security and restoring ecosystems.
Alternative water sources
Selangor has identified 100 ponds as alternative water sources to reduce reliance on its seven main dams.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said 20 ponds had been gazetted as Protection Zones under the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) Enactment 1999, with 80 more in the process.
Once completed, this initiative will extend the state’s raw water storage capacity to nine months, even without rainfall.
The property valuation exercise across all 12 local councils has sparked debate on whether the increase is justified.
The ponds will also connect to rivers via a dual-function pump system, serving as both water storage and flood mitigation.
This plan is in addition to establishing a state water commission and developing a comprehensive master plan, outlining the short-, mid- and long-term strategies for Selangor’s water management.
Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim clarified that the state commission would not overlap with the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), which focuses on treated water and sewerage.
The state commission will unify agencies handling raw water, wastewater, flood mitigation and river rejuvenation.
“Water management is a state matter. Centralising agencies under one body allows for holistic planning and project implementation,” Izham said.
Making polluters pay
The process of demolishing Shah Alam Stadium began in stages this year. The new Shah Alam Sports Complex is projected to be completed by 2027.
In June, Selangor became the first state in the country to introduce the Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP).
The new regulation is aimed at compelling industries to recycle their effluents instead of dumping waste into drains, rivers and other water sources.
Some 30,000 businesses from 13 sectors were required to register for the ZDP licence.
Among sectors covered by the policy are aquaculture, development or land work, poultry, animal farms, industrial vehicle cleaning, sand mining, slaughterhouses, industrial, recreational activity, sewer management, solid waste management and water services.
Those who do not register face fines of up to RM50,000 or not more than two years’ jail.
The policy is expected to be fully enforced from January.
Water tariff hike
Amirudin announced a crackdown against illegal factories in Selangor to prevent river pollution.
Following the Feb 1 water tariff hike in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, Selangor announced it would absorb the cost increase for 285,673 accounts under its free water scheme (Sade).
Malaysian citizens in Selangor with household incomes of RM5,000 or less per month can apply for the scheme.
Households using up to 20 cubic metres now pay 65sen per cubic metre (up from 57 sen), those using 20–35 cubic metres pay RM1.32 (up from RM1.03), and usage exceeding 35 cubic metres costs RM2.63 (up from RM2).
Eye on illegal factories
All 12 local councils in Selangor have been directed to act against illegal factories to prevent river pollution.
Amirudin issued the order following a SPAN report linking a Kuang factory in Rawang to a pollution incident in July.
He emphasised that the raids would target factories near tributaries to protect water sources, adding that there would be no more tolerance.
About four tonnes of pleco were removed from Sungai Langat and Sungai Damansara under a state government campaign.
“Enough time has been given to join the whitelisting programme”.
The state’s Legalising of Unlicensed Factories (PPKTK) programme offers incentives to operators, with applications open until Dec 31, 2025.
Of the 6,690 unlicensed factories in Selangor, over half are in Klang and Shah Alam.
Incentive to nab invasive fish
This year, the state introduced a novel strategy to address invasive fish threatening river ecosystems.
Species like the pleco, or suckermouth catfish (colloquially called ikan bandaraya), destabilise riverbanks and cause erosion through aggressive burrowing.
In September, the state launched a community-driven campaign to catch ikan bandaraya in selected rivers.
A joint operation to check on factories suspected of water pollution in Rawang, Selangor.
Anglers were paid RM1 per kg, with RM50,000 allocated for the effort.
About four tonnes of ikan bandaraya were removed from Sungai Langat and Sungai Damansara during the programme.
The campaign is expected to expand next year to target other invasive species.
Assessment tax hike
The hike in assessment taxes in Selangor will start on Jan 1, 2025 subject to a 25% cap.
The announcement was preceded by a property valuation exercise across the 12 local authorities this year, sparking debate and heightened scrutiny from property owners.
For many ratepayers, the hike felt unjustified, particularly given ongoing frustrations with the quality of service.
In total, 148,000 objections were sent in by ratepayers.
The state approved the increase, citing a need to update outdated property valuations not changed for decades.
The new rates are expected to boost the revenue of local councils by RM355mil annually.
Addressing strata title woes
The state’s Special Task Force for Resolving Buildings Without Strata Titles has resolved paperwork issues for several properties.
A member of the Police Air Wing Unit parachuting onto the pitch for the opening ceremony of the 20th edition of The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup in Stadium Merdeka this year.
The task force has identified 138,817 lots in Selangor without strata titles.
In November, the state announced a Strata Ownership Special Trust Fund to cover strata registration costs for some owners, with RM10mil allocated for next year as part of a RM100mil, 10-year plan.
Following a StarMetro exclusive report, Amirudin pledged to introduce a new formula for calculating premium fees for leasehold extensions on commercial properties.
The issue came to light in August when shop owners in Petaling Jaya Old Town voiced concerns about their expiring leases.
Many feared losing their properties due to the prohibitive renewal costs.
The revised formula aims to address such challenges and provide more equitable solutions for property owners.
Selangor FC triumphs
In May, Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim suffered fourth- degree burns in a shocking acid attack at a Kota Damansara shopping centre, disrupting his career.
A state task force has identified over 138,000 lots without strata titles in Selangor and a trust fund has been established to cover registration costs for some owners.
Faisal’s resilience and contributions to football were recognised when he was awarded the Darjah Kebesaran Ahli-Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (AIS) in conjunction with the 79th birthday celebration of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
On the pitch, Selangor FC retained The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup (TSSC) with a 2-1 victory over Singapore at Merdeka Stadium, marking its third consecutive win.
The match also saw Faisal captaining the team for the first time this season.
The last time the two sides met at the iconic venue was in 1981.
The match was also significant as it marked the reopening of the historical stadium following an eight-year restoration and a return of the annual competition following a four-month hiatus.
The event took place in Kuala Lumpur as the process of demolishing Stadium Shah Alam finally began in stages this year.
Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) chief executive officer Datuk Saipolyazan M. Yusop said the new Shah Alam Sports Complex (SASC) is projected to be completed by 2027.
