Empower Act 655 to stem water pollution

The news of Sungai Chandong turning pink due to water pollution were reported by multiple media outlets recently, as investigation points to red effluents discharged from a drain from the industrial area.

Rivers being polluted are not uncommon in Selangor, as past records have shown pollution to be a perpetual issue in the state since the days of Pakatan Rakyat. This issue continues now under the Pakatan Harapan administration.

Even though the Sungai Chandong pollution this time did not lead to a disruption of water supply, it reflects the failure of the state government in managing and preventing such scenarios, owing to poorly regulated development.

Therefore, MCA urges all Members of the Parliament to support the Bill for the amendment of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) which will be tabled in the October Parliament session, which provides for heavier punishments against environmental criminals.

The proposed amendments are an increase in the fine from RM100,000 to RM10 million, increase in the prison sentence from one year to 15 years, or both.

MCA believes that the proposed heavier penalties are necessary in order to effectively deter offenders from committing these environmental offences. This is because the current penalties are simply too “soft” in relation to the consequences.

Just within the past 10 days, the Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP) almost had to shut down following another odour pollution being detected in Sungai Semenyih.

Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. The people of Selangor should not have their lives wrapped around these constant water disruptions, which not only affects millions of people each time, but also inflict losses on businesses which requires water supply.

MCA hopes that the amendments to Act 655 will go smoothly, and be empowered to bring environment criminals from all states to justice, allowing us to preserve the natural beauty of Malaysia and ensuring higher quality of life for all Malaysians.

-MCA Online-