JOHOR BAHRU: The Tunku Temenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim today reminded the public of the importance of preserving the rivers in the state.
Following the painful experience of the chemical contamination episode in Pasir Gudang, Tunku Idris said urgent steps should be taken to raise awareness about the dangers of river pollution.
He said if there was no effort towards educating the people to care about the rivers, toxic waste dumping would become even more rampant.
“In conjunction with the World Water Day (today), I would like to draw the public’s attention to the adverse effects of polluting our rivers.
“The toxic waste pollution tragedy in Sungai Kim Kim, Pasir Gudang has taught a lesson to all of us,” Tunku Idris said in a statement issued by the Royal Press Office here today.
Tunku Idris said irresponsible acts had destroyed the river, killing its marine life and its potential as a source of clean water.
The Royal Patron of the Johor National Parks said all of the 16 major rivers in Johor had been affected by pollution, and it was a sorry state of affairs.
“Systematic river degradation as a result of domestic waste disposal and industrial waste must be stopped as rivers are our source of livelihood,” he said.
He further stressed that it was time for the public and private sectors to identify new and innovative methods to revive and save the rivers.
“They need to be proactive, not merely responding whenever a disaster occurs,” he said adding that the “Love Our Rivers” programme should also be intensified in schools to raise awareness among students.
He also warned that if the situation was not contained, Johor would be at risk of a shortage in clean water supply for domestic and industrial use. – Bernama
