River pollution: SAM urges authorities to lay out action plan

PETALING JAYA: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has called on the government and relevant authorities to lay out an action plan to resolve the issue of river pollution which has repeatedly disrupted the water supply to people in the Klang Valley this year.

SAM president Meenakshi Raman said despite the recent establishment of an environmental crimes unit (ECU) to increase monitoring and enforcement, the contamination of water sources continued.

“The frustration and anger of Selangor residents are understandable, as yet another unscheduled water cut left over millions affected, ” she added.

She noted that the shutdown on Tuesday (Nov 10) had been attributed to the illegal dumping of solvents which polluted Sungai Selangor.

Meenakshi said the public must be informed of measures taken by the federal and state authorities, as well as the ECU, to prevent illegal dumping into rivers from occurring.

“SAM calls on the minister to explain the efforts being taken by the authorities.

“Public patience is running out, and we need answers urgently, ” she said in a statement Wednesday (Nov 11).