Datuk Bandar KL must reveal agencies responsible for causing river pollution,1.4.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Kuala Lumpur Datuk Bandar, Dato' Ab. Hakim Borhan, to investigate fully the situation of river pollution in Kuala Lumpur, and announce the extent to which Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and other agencies are causing these rivers to go dead.

Dr Tan his shows concern with IWK releasing sewage into rivers in Selangor as reported by the state Government.

The Government says that it is cleaning up the Klang River to revive it. But, the work progresses too slowly. Klang River and its tributaries start in Selangor, entering and exiting Kuala Lumpur, before flowing into the sea. We must clean up Klang River and its tributaries in KL and Selangor, otherwise resuscitation of the river would not be meaningful.

We have found out that sewage flows into tributaries of Klang River within KL, such as Gombak River, Batu River, Jinjang River and Keroh River, Kepong. The Datuk Bandar must, investigate the state of pollution of these rivers and the degree of treatment of the sewage by IWK.

We have asked similar question about sewage treatment and discharge into rivers. But, the Government has yet to give a satisfactory answer. IWK discharges its sewage into the lakes of the Kelana Jaya Park, Petaling Jaya. At times, there is foul smell from the lakes.

Yesterday, the Menteri Besar of Selangor Datuk WSeri Mohd Khir Toyo exposed IWK as the main culprit in discarging sewage including ammonia and faeces into rivers in Selangor. Other sources include housing development, factories and industry upstream.

City folks hope that City Hall Kuala Lumpur will ascertain the main polluters of our rivers, whether they are IWK, housing development or industry.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw