Local community traces river basin’s flow as conservation efforts target pollution and invasive species
THE Sungai Kerayong river basin, which flows through Ampang in Selangor, has shown some improvement in water quality following years of intervention.
However, authorities maintain that pollution and waste mismanagement remain key challenges.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said the river, which was previously severely degraded, has now improved to Class III water quality status.
“We have seen a significant change compared to before. Water quality has improved to Class III and we hope it can go further,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Journey of Water (JoW) Sungai Kerayong 2026 programme.
He added that Sungai Kerayong ran through an area with around 10,000 premises and a population of between 20,000 and 30,000 people, with about 90% of land use classified as residential.
Hasrolnizam, who is also former Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) director, highlighted wastewater as a key concern, noting that about 70% of the river’s content comprises treated or untreated discharge.
The JoW programme was organised by WWF-Malaysia together with MPAJ and Universiti Malaya (UM).
This edition marked the sixth JoW series organised by WWF-Malaysia in collaboration with strategic partners across Malaysia since 2018.
The two-day, one-night programme took place within the Sungai Kerayong Basin, which forms part of the Sungai Klang River Basin in Ampang, Selangor.
Participants, known as Water Heroes, had the opportunity to trace the flow of Sungai Kerayong through urban areas, from upstream to downstream.
WWF-Malaysia conservation director Dr Jason Hon said the JoW programme was part of its initiative to strengthen local community involvement in the conservation and protection of urban rivers, while also increasing public awareness of the importance of rivers in everyday life.
WWF-Malaysia, in a statement, said the programme served as a platform for knowledge exchange and sharing among participants representing various stakeholders, including government agencies, higher education and research institutions, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies and local communities.
It covered various aspects related to river health, biodiversity, pollution, urban river management and nature-based solutions within the Sungai Kerayong basin.
Participants had the opportunity to assess the ecological and hydrological status of Sungai Kerayong through field observations, data collection and analysis alongside experts.
The programme also helped raise awareness and appreciation of the vital role rivers play within urban ecosystems, while fostering a shared sense of responsibility to protect and conserve rivers.
The programme began at Bukit Saga (upstream), before continuing to Kampung Tasik Tambahan (midstream) and concluding at Tasik Pandan Perdana Ampang (downstream).
The second day featured the JoW closing ceremony, held in conjunction with a dengue prevention programme, lake-cleaning and catching of invasive fish such as ikan bandaraya.
On dengue cases, Hasrolnizam said the number in the municipality remained under control, with no hotspot or outbreak localities recorded.
“As of May 14, there were nine recorded cases for epidemiology week 19, bringing the cumulative total to 552 cases across Ampang Jaya,” he said.
Also present were Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur, Luas river basin and coastal management division senior assistant director Haslina Amer and UM Faculty of Science deputy dean (Student Affairs) Prof Dr Siti Rohana Majid.
