PIG farming and wastewater discharge have consistently been among the main contributors to river pollution in Malaysia between 2020 and 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability has said.
Citing an analysis by the Department of Environment, the ministry said recurring pollution incidents were also linked to a lack of awareness and responsibility among factory and industrial operators, some of whom resorted to illegal waste disposal without regard for environmental protection or public health.
“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 said.
It added that the government continues to carry out extensive monitoring of river water quality, with manual monitoring conducted at 1,353 stations nationwide and automatic monitoring systems in place at a further 30 locations.
According to the ministry, 672 rivers were monitored last year, of which 33 were classified as polluted.
“The ministry, however, is committed towards enhancing monitoring efforts and enforcing related laws to curb instances of river pollution,” it said.
“This whole issue must be handled holistically, through coordinated efforts carried out together with state governments and local authorities as well,” it added.
The ministry was responding in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday to a question from Nazri Abu Hassan (PN–Merbok), who sought clarification on the number of rivers categorised as polluted and the reasons pollution continued to recur despite enforcement action. - February 10, 2026
