Clean-up of Sg Midah flood retention pond following fish deaths

Workers seen at Sungai Midah flood retention pond in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

A CONTRACTOR has been appointed to clean up Sungai Midah flood retention pond in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, following the sighting of dead fish.

A spokesperson from Kuala Lumpur Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said this in a statement to StarMetro, which had reported on the issue in the article “Dead fish stinking up KL pond” on May 6.

The report stated that residents who frequent the area were shocked to find the pond littered with fish carcasses.

The report quoted residents as saying the pond had not been maintained for several months and was overrun with water hyacinths.

These floating aquatic plants are considered an invasive species capable of rapidly spreading and clogging waterways.

DID said a team was sent to investigate and they found no dead fish in the pond.

StarMetro report on May 6.

“However, the location of the dead fish were found to be near one of the inlets to the pond,” said the statement.

“We suspect that the fish died in the drains and entered the pond area through the inlet.

“Our site survey also found that there are still fishing and netting activities going on in the pond area.

“This indicates that the cause of fish deaths is not due to water pollution.”

DID said RM1.3mil had been allocated this year for maintenance work on the Sungai Midah flood retention pond.

This work included silt dredging, cleaning (both on land and in the pond) and grass cutting.

When contacted, Sungai Midah Flood Retention Pond Nature Lovers Club chairman Mohd Zainuddin Amran confirmed that the pond was being cleaned.

“Yes, there have been people at the site working every day.

“We still don’t know what caused the fish to die.

“I would appreciate if someone from the Department of Environment (DOE) could explain it,” Mohd Zainuddin said.

DOE had yet to respond at press time.