Results of water sample analysis to be submitted to DOE - KJ

The Chemistry Department is expected to submit the results of the analysis of contaminated raw water samples in the Sungai Gong area, Rawang to the Department of Environment (DOE) soon, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the Chemistry Department had received actual samples from the factory believed to be responsible for the pollution from the DOE, Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) and Health Ministry.

“The DOE is conducting Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) analysis for four samples received from the Health Ministry, Hydrocarbon VOC analysis for four samples from Luas and scheduled waste analysis for DOE samples.

“I have instructed them to expedite these analyses. Once the results are known, we will submit to the DOE for further action," he told a press conference after launching the Social Impact Matching (SIM) Grant at the National Science Centre today.Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2, 3 and the Rantau Panjang water treatment plants were shut down as the water was polluted.

The pollution affected 1.2 million consumer accounts in 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.

Commenting further, Khairy said the relevant ministry needed to review pollution-related laws to ensure that heavier punishments were imposed on those involved.

Earlier when launching the grant, Khairy welcomed more participation to boost the social enterprise sector by utilising the RM10 million grant announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin under the short-term economic recovery plan last June.

Registration for the SIM Grant under the supervision of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre and the Malaysia Innovation Foundation has been open since last month and it aims to support social enterprises and other social impact businesses to sustain initiatives and programmes.

- Bernama