A TOTAL of 19.6 tonnes of invasive foreign fish have been removed from Malaysian waters through 37 removal programmes nationwide between 2022 and 2025.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the Fisheries Department (DOF) started the programme in Pahang and Negri Sembilan in 2022 before expanding the initiative nationwide in 2024.
The latest effort took place at Tasik Ampang Hilir in Kuala Lumpur.
Isham said foreign species accounted for 95% of the landings at the lake.
Among the species causing concern is the pleco, commonly known in Malaysia as ikan bandaraya.
“According to the nationwide programme’s landing records, plecos accounted for 83% of the recorded invasive fish, while ikan raja (Peacock bass) represented a further 13.8%,” he said.
“Plecos can disrupt aquatic ecosystems through their feeding behaviour and competition with native species.
“Their presence alongside other non-native fish raises concerns about the long-term survival of freshwater biodiversity.”
Isham said Perak accounted for 50.3% of recorded foreign fish landings under the DOF programme, followed by Negri Sembilan at 16.5% and Selangor at 13.3%
“The DOF also conducted inventories at 128 locations nationwide, including 12 locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya,” he said.
Isham said about 58.62 million juvenile fish and prawns were released under the department’s fish restocking programmes between 2021 and 2025 to replenish native aquatic species.
“Another 4.8 million have been released this year.
“The releases are to support native populations and help restore ecological balance.
“However, restocking native fish alone would not solve the problem if invasive species continued to spread.
“Conservation efforts must be supported with monitoring, reliable data and sustained action to prevent further introductions of invasive species,” he added.
Isham said the responsibility to protect the freshwater biodiversity was not the government’s alone.
“Government agencies, private companies, non-governmental organisations, retailers and the public must work together to prevent unwanted fish from being released into natural waterways in the country.
“Property developers and pet shops can also play a greater role in educating residents and customers about responsible pet ownership, including the risks associated with releasing aquarium fish into lakes and reservoirs.
“One issue that requires attention is the practice of releasing pet fish into rivers, lakes, reservoirs or public waters when their owners no longer wish to keep them,” he noted.
He said what might appear to be a small act could have significant consequences if the fish were able to survive and reproduce in a new habitat.
The programme at Tasik Ampang Hilir was supported by Agrobank, Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and Aquaria KLCC.
It was also held in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Persatuan Pemancing Semalaysia.
The programme also saw 32,500 juvenile and 11 adult native fishes being released at Tasik Ampang Hilir.
Agrobank Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said about 250 participants from seven agencies and organisations, including 43 employees from the bank, came together for the programme.
He said efforts to preserve natural resources also played an important role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country’s agrofood sector.
“The sustainability of the agrofood sector depends not only on financing and industry development but also on the health of the environment.
“Through this initiative, we want Agrobank employees not only to understand the importance of conservation but also to play a direct role in protecting natural resources for future generations,” he said.
