Commission chairman, Charles Santiago also said that the federal government, state government and the local government must consider the termination of all economic activities in areas around the river, especially in the upper reaches of the river which provided the water source for daily activities of consumers including cooking and for drinking water.
He said this in a statement concerning the police report lodged by SPAN today following two incidents of pollution that occurred at the water intakes of the four LRAs reported to have happened between July 19 and yesterday (July 21).
“Two incidents occurring within three days proved to be of most concern to SPAN,” he said urging on the police to investigate both incidents of pollution including elements of sabotage.
Santiago pointed out that SPAN would use existing Acts to take stern action on the perpetrators involved.
On Friday (July 19), the Sungai Selangor LRA Phases 1, 2, 3 as well as the Rantau Panjang LRA had to stop operations following an odour pollution and yesterday, when the recovery process had reached 97 per cent, all four LRAs had to stop operations following diesel pollution due to sand digging activities at the upper reaches of the river.
He emphasised that rivers were the major source of raw water in this country and as such it was most important to preserve the cleanliness and benefits derived from the river.
“SPAN urges the public against making rivers as an open garbage area. Although the charge for treated / clean water in Malaysia is low, it is the most important entity for human as well as industrial needs.
“So it becomes our joint responsibility to ensure the survival of the rivers which are not polluted so that the supply is not disrupted,” said Santiago.
He drew attention to the fact that it was an offence under Section 121 (1) of the National Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) to pollute or cause any water channel or water supply system to be polluted with any material that could endanger the life of the people.– BERNAMA
