SHAH ALAM – The Selangor Legislative Assembly was today told that most river pollution cases in the state are caused by licensed companies or factories.
State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the administration does not tolerate such parties, and will take action including seizing the land concerned.
He said since 2017, eight companies have faced legal action by the state Environment Department and Lembaga Urus Air Selangor under various acts and enactments.
“Four companies have been prosecuted for causing pollution affecting the Sg Semenyih and four other water treatment plants.
“However, it was hard to take action over odour pollution because we did not find the perpetrators, and it involved vandalism, such as the disposal of prohibited substances into manholes belonging to Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd’s sewage system.”
Hee was replying to a supplementary question from Idris Ahmad (PH-Ijok) on the actions taken by the state government if a factory is found to be a repeat offender.
“Several water-quality telemetry stations have been placed at water intake sites to serve as an early warning system, besides the use of drones to monitor the river basin.
“We are also looking at the suitability of water treatment using ‘diatom’ to reduce the pollutant levels in water sources.” – Bernama, November 5, 2020
