KUALA LUMPUR: Pig farming and wastewater were among the factors that consistently contributed to river pollution between 2020 and 2024, says the National Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
Citing an analysis conducted by the Department of Environment, the ministry said a lack of awareness and responsibility from factory and industrial operators further contributed to illegal waste disposal methods, without any consideration towards the environment and public health.
According to the ministry, continuous monitoring is also carried out manually at 1,353 river water quality stations nationwide, with another 30 stations conducting automatic monitoring.
Of the 672 rivers monitored last year, some 33 were categorised as polluted.
“River pollution has also consistently occurred despite enforcement due to booming populations alongside industries and local economies, which can indirectly contribute towards deteriorating river quality.
“The ministry, however, is committed towards enhancing monitoring efforts and enforcing related laws to curb instances of river pollution.
“This whole issue must be handled holistically, through coordinated efforts carried out together with state governments and local authorities as well,” it said in a written reply on Tuesday (Feb 10).
The ministry was responding to a question by Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) who asked about the number of rivers classified as polluted and why such incidents reoccurred despite enforcement action already taken.
