Malacca River turns black due to dry spell

MALACCA: The current dry spell is the main reason why Malacca River has turned black.

State Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Ar Ismail Othman said the wastewater from Malim River, a tributary of Malacca River is not sufficient to dilute the water of Malacca River.

“The colour of the river has changed as there was less rainfall and the contaminated water could not be washed away,” he said yesterday.

He said the river has been classified as Class Three due to the pollution and the State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would immediately start work to rehabilitate it.

Ar Ismail said the state Department of Environment was still tracing the source of the pollution and probing the claims of residents that hazardous materials from industries have been indiscriminately discharged into the river.

“Let an in-depth test be conducted first before we ascertain the source of the pollution,” he said.

Earlier, Klebang Besar Residential Security and Development Committee secretary Khalid Jaafar said that factories nearby could be the main culprits discharging hazardous waste into the river although action was taken against them previously for similar offences.

“I was told that the culprits have been placed under the watchful eyes of the authorities but they are still releasing their untreated waste into the river without any qualms.

“Something is wrong here. The authorities must carry out a study to determine why the factories are still blatantly going against the law,” he added.

Khalid said residents living along the riverbank were affected by the stench from the polluted waters and many had complained of feeling dizzy due to the strong smell coming from the river.

“We are worried that the pollution which caused the water to turn black, will kill the fish. We hope the authorities will act fast to resolve the problem,” he said.