(Kepong, Monday): DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates the urgent need to improve the coordination between Federal, State and Local Governments, as an effective step to reduce river pollution in Malaysia.

As we have repeatedly stressed, to rehabilitate the dead river in the commercial capital, the Klang River, is a test of the Government's determination. For 13 years, the Love Our River campaign has not achieved much. Over Rm10 million has been spent on it. Since 2002, it has been changed into 'One State, One River' campaign with little to show.

For over 20 years, Dr Tan has raised the river pollution issue, including the highlighting of Jinjang River pollution due to the Taman Beringin dumpsite two years ago. Jinjang River flows into Batu River which connects with Klang River. Although the Kuala Lumpur City Hall has closed down the dumpsite, the Jinjang River pollution persists.

Many of the 400 or so rivers in Malaysia are poplluted. Recently, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry states in Parliament that there are nine dead rivers in the country, namely, Sungai Juru, Sungai Pinang, Sungai Jejawi in Penang, Sungai Buloh and Sungai Klang in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Sungai Segget, Sungai Kempas, Sungai Danga and Sungai Tukang Batu in Johor.

There are many sources of pollution such as local governments, residential households and industries. We must continue to educate. Every local government is responsible for the sources of sewage and land is under the state government. Very often anti-pollution plans from the Federal Government do not reach the state or the local level effectively. It is difficult to srutinize 144 local governments.

We desperately require improvement in the coordination of the Central, State and Local Governments, so that anti-pollution measures can reach all levels.