Improve
greatly
coordination
between federal,
state and local
governments to
reduce river
pollution
Media
Statement
by Dr Tan
Seng Giaw
( 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.
(30/10/2006)
*Dr
Tan Seng Giaw,
DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong
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