NEARLY one tonne of invasive fish was netted at Sungai Chua Recreational Park lake during a cleanup operation carried out by Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
It was held in conjunction with the local council’s Rivers for Life programme, aimed at restoring ecological balance in water bodies across the municipality.
MPKj deputy president Mohd Fareez Mohd Aris said there had been a surge of complaints about invasive fish species in the lake.
“In addition to the catching operation, MPKj also organised a fishing competition targeting invasive species,” he said at the programme’s closing ceremony.
Around 500 participants took part in the event, which also included a community cleanup and tree‑planting activities.
Children’s colouring sessions and batik painting added a family‑friendly element to the programme.
Mohd Fareez said all fish caught were recorded to assist the Hulu Langat District Fisheries Office in compiling an inventory of species in the lake.
However, he said the source of the invasive fish remained unclear.
“We cannot point the finger at anyone, but it’s possible the fish were released after being kept as pets or entered the lake during floods,” he said.
He added that the programme also served to educate the public on the dangers of releasing non‑native species into local waterways and the importance of protecting native fish.
MPKj plans to continue the initiative in September, in conjunction with World Rivers Day.
The programme was organised with support from Housing and Local Government Ministry, in collaboration with the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Selangor Water Management Authority, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force and other agencies.
Also present was Balakong assemblyman Ong Chun Wei.
