Military-grade drones to be unleashed against water polluters

RAWANG: From November onwards, the Selangor state government will be deploying drones that are the sort used by the military to catch water polluters.

READ ALSO: Selangor water cuts (Oct 19): See whether you're affected

State executive councillor Hee Loy Sian said the drones are sponsored by the Selangor government.

“We bought four drones and this (type of) drone can spot pollution even at night.

“It cost us about RM2mil and will be managed by Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS).

“These drones will be monitoring Lembangan Sg Selangor and Lembangan Sg Langat.

“These two areas are the ones where pollution often takes place, ” he told a press conference at Sungai Gong, Rawang on Monday (Oct 19).

Earlier Monday, Air Selangor said that contamination was detected around 2am, forcing a stop-work order on Phase 1,2, 3 and Rantau Panjang water treatment plants.

This has resulted in unscheduled water cuts in 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.

Hee said the recent odour pollution was recorded at around one tonne, but did not give a definite date as to when the water supply would resume.

However, it is estimated that the plants affected would resume operations by 4pm today (Oct 19).

Next month, the state would also be tabling an enactment to increase the fine for water polluters from the existing maximum RM100,000 to up to RM1mil.

“At the moment, the maximum fine for polluters is RM100,000 or a jail term.

“We are going to increase the fine to between RM200,000 and RM1mil, and jail term.

“We are still investigating the current source of pollution and will not rule out acts of sabotage," said Hee.