KUALA LUMPUR – A Twitter user has highlighted an incident in which a large number of dead fish was found floating along Petaling Jaya’s Sg Penchala, triggering concerns of pollution occurring in its waters.
User @Pulotutoi took to social media to share pictures of dead fish floating in the river, along with a caption stating the presence of a peculiar stench as well.
Something is wrong with Sg Penchala. Dead fish and very bad smell! Current location at Section 14, Petaling Jaya! @jasmalaysia @KASA_Malaysia @pjcitycouncil @mariachin @Media_Selangor @AmirudinShari 1/2 pic.twitter.com/aKiBGchSzU
— Pulotutui ??? (@Pulotutui) August 12, 2021
In a series of tweets, the netizen also took the opportunity to highlight the incident to the Environment Department (DoE), which began its investigation into a Dutch Lady Malaysia factory nearby.
The netizen also claimed that the culprit behind the pollution is the Dutch Lady factory, and that DoE determined the source of the pollution as “factory water discharge”.
The water’s pH level stood at 11, with DoE confirming contamination in the river, added @Pulotutoi.
Result from @jasmalaysia :
— Pulotutui ??? (@Pulotutui) August 12, 2021
PH Level: 11
Status: Confirm Water Contamination
Contamination Source: @DutchLadyMY @FrieslndCampina
How: Factory Water Discharge
Action: Warning Only ?
QUESTION: Who’s gonna clean the dead fishes? @DID_Malaysia @sacitycouncil @mariachin
Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and the Petaling Jaya City Council were tagged in the post, but they did not respond at the time it was sighted by The Vibes.
The Vibes contacted Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Risyakaran, who said it is best to refer the matter to DoE.
Attempts to contact the department for a confirmation of its investigation received no reply as well.
In a tweet today, Dutch Lady confirmed that it was contacted by the Selangor DoE concerning a pollution incident near one of its factories yesterday.
“We are giving our full cooperation to the relevant investigating authorities. Our management takes allegations of river pollution very seriously and has launched an internal inquiry according to our safety, health and environment standard operating procedures.
“We will await further updates from Selangor DoE, who have taken water samples for analysis and will take the necessary actions to resolve this matter.” – The Vibes, August 13, 2021
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) was notified by Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Selangor of a river contamination incident adjacent to our factory premises yesterday, 12 August 2021. (1/4)
— Dutch Lady Malaysia (@DutchLadyMY) August 13, 2021
