Heavier penalties may be in store ‘to strike fear’ into river polluters

 

A rubbish-strewn drain at the Selayang wholesale market caught the eye of natural resources, environment, and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad when he visited the area today. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Heavier penalties may be in store for those found throwing rubbish into rivers “to strike fear into them” so that they will not commit serious offences leading to floods and pollution, according to environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

“We can upgrade rivers by spending a big sum of money, but if it is a question of not being able to overcome the garbage issue, not only at the level of the authorities but also at the level of individuals or traders, then we will not address this problem,” he said after a visit to Sungai Jinjang.

“There is a high possibility that we will discuss the issue of increasing the penalties. There are several laws which we are in the process of amending, either (in terms of) jail term or fines,” he told reporters.

Nik Nazmi, whose portfolio includes natural resources and climate change, said a total of RM8.2 million was spent between January and September this year on garbage management in rivers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Of this amount, RM166,320 was spent on a log boom structure in the Sungai Jinjang flood reservoir and RM150,000 a year for garbage maintenance at the Sungai Udang tributary. - FMT