In July, a pollution incident at Sungai Kuang disrupted water supply for one week and affected 1.1 million consumer accounts.
SELAYANG is popular as an ecotourism destination in Selangor, and attracts nature enthusiasts from near and far.
However, beneath its natural beauty lies a disturbing reality: Selayang has emerged as a hotspot for river pollution.
In July, a major pollution incident caused significant disruption across Selangor, affecting water supply for an entire week in 1,140 areas and impacting over 1.1 million consumer accounts.
The source of the pollution was traced to a plastic waste recycling facility in Kuang, Gombak, which had discharged poly(methacrylic acid) chemicals into Sungai Kuang, a tributary of the Selangor River Basin.
Swift action followed the incident, with Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) suspending the operator’s licence and issuing an immediate RM1,000 fine.
A Chinese national business owner linked to the illegal disposal of chemical waste was sentenced to three months’ jail and fined RM240,000.
This incident sparked urgent calls from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) for the Selangor government and environmental authorities to increase scrutiny of plastic waste recycling facilities, especially those in high-risk areas.
GHL Geopark
In November, the Gombak Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark, covering an impressive 112,955ha across Gombak and Hulu Langat districts was launched.
This geopark features 31 geosites, with 20 officially designated as eco- and geo-tourism hotspots, celebrated for their unique natural and geological landscapes.
The launch event, held at Gua Damai Extreme Park in Batu Caves, was graced by Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Significantly, the GHL Geopark stands out as Malaysia’s only geopark located within an urban area.
Tourism Selangor spearheads the GHL Geopark, supported by several key government and community partners, including PLANMalaysia, Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and MPS.
Designed to meet international standards, GHL Geopark aims for Unesco Global Geopark recognition by 2028.
The operator of the Gua Lepak food court in Batu Caves was ordered to vacate the premises.
Eatery in cave
However, one area of concern was illegal activities. Earlier this year, StarMetro highlighted concerns about encroachment into the geopark’s delicate ecological zones.
One incident involved a food court, “Gua Lepak,” operating inside a cave within Batu Caves, known as Swamp Cave.
Issues surrounding the restaurant’s operation included risks to visitor safety, geological hazards, damage to fossils, vandalism, biodiversity disruption and sustainability concerns.
MPS clarified that the cave is state-owned land and that no permission was granted for any party to utilise the space.
While a business licence was issued to the operator, it did not cover activities within the cave, which is state land managed by the Gombak District and Land Office (PTD).
Following the exposé, Gombak PTD issued an eviction notice to the operator, citing the lack of approval for activities at the site.
These revelations have prompted calls for urgent action to protect the geopark’s integrity, with advocates urging the Selangor government to implement a comprehensive conservation management plan for Batu Caves to safeguard its ecological and geological treasures for future generations.
Fired up over incinerator
A proposed RM4.5bil incinerator project in Batu Arang, Rawang, sparked strong opposition from local communities and non-governmental organisations.
Concerns included safety, health, environmental and traffic risks, along with potential impacts on the area’s geological structure, where Malaysia’s largest coal mine was located.
Opponents banded together under a coalition called the Rawang Tolak Insinerator (RTI) Network, highlighting the contradiction of constructing the incinerator in a heritage town while rezoning agricultural land for industrial use.
Over 4,000 objection forms were submitted to MPS this year, citing issues such as traffic hazards, odour and water pollution, health risks and negative effects on property value.
MPS president Shahman Jalaludin assured that studies would precede the project’s commencement, but emphasised that land rezoning must occur beforehand.
On Oct 1, more than 100 protesters gathered in front of MPS headquarters to demand that authorities halt the project.
