Johor EPU to plan clean-up of polluted rivers

KLUANG: Johor has directed the state Economic Planning Unit to come up with a long-term plan to clean up and rehabilitate polluted and dirty rivers in the state.

State Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the state EPU would coordinate with the relevant agencies and departments in implementing the plans.

Ayub said there were six rivers in the state classified as polluted, including Sungai Tebrau, Sungai Skudai, Sungai Segget and Sungai Alor Merah in Pontian.

"The cleaning up and rehabilitation process will focus on rivers which are the main source of water for water treatment plants," he said.

He said the decision was made during the weekly state Cabinet meeting on Wednesday following a directive by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to the state government and local authorities.

Sultan Ibrahim made the order after a spot check by boat to observe river pollution along Sungai Tebrau on March 14.

The Ruler was accompanied by his son Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Sultan Ibrahim had expressed regret over the irresponsible dumping of thrash into the river.

"Among the measures to be taken by the authorities are to relocate illegal squatter settlements and companies operating along the rivers in Johor," said Ayub.

He said this at a press conference after launching the state-level World Kidney Day 2017 celebration at Hospital Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom here on Thursday.