ISKANDAR PUTERI: Every state must have a prevention of pollution and river cleaning action plan in place to deal with the issue of river pollution.
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the action plan is critical to ensure that the issue is handled effectively and eventually resolved altogether.
“Integrated action should be implemented and I feel a prevention of pollution and river cleaning action plan must be put in place in every state to outline the steps that should be taken by the related agencies according to their scope and power.
“I recommend that it be streamlined by the State Environment Action Committee, chaired by the exco member in charge of environment of each state government. I think this is the best way for integrated action to be taken,” he told reporters after the launch of National Environment Day 2023 at the Iskandar Puteri Forest City here yesterday, Bernama reported.
The event was launched by Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah. Also present were Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
According to the Water Quality Index, 29 out of the 672 rivers nationwide were in the polluted category last year.
The states listed with polluted rivers include Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Sarawak, Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
On a separate note, Wan Abdul Latiff said enforcement activities and daily patrols of hotspots will be increased at peat land areas and waste disposal sites with the potential of open burning following a hot and dry spell.
“Of course, at the DOE level, we will continue monitoring and increasing our patrols at the hotspots or areas which can easily catch fire.
“All parties are advised to refrain from open burning. We will take action against the offenders, or if we cannot pinpoint who they are, the owners of the land or premises will be liable,” he said.
