KUALA LUMPUR, 1 AUGUST 2024 – Recently, a widespread water crisis impeded daily activities across the Klang Valley. Forum Air EcoKnights via its campaign “Air Kita, Tanggungjawab Bersama ” has compiled information and gathered responses from the Duta Air Kita (ambassadors of AirKita), the National Water Services Commissions (SPAN) and the public on this matter.

Incident

On July 22, 2024, it was reported that there was an acidic smell coming from Kuang River. The reports were confirmed by the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) as they also detected it in Kundang and Sembah River the following day. They traced back the foul odour to an acrylic recycling factory. The culprit, poly methacrylic acid (PMAA) leaked out of one of the tanks from the factory. The effluence would flow into Kundang, Sembah and eventually to the Selangor River. This poses a risk to residents downstream, in addition to four water treatment plants located along the river, which are the Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 Water Treatment Plants. Thus, all four of them must temporarily shut down their operations to prevent the pollutant from reaching the water systems.

Impacts

Air Selangor has released its statement to address the closure of these four plants the same night. However, public opinion said that they were not notified. “There should be a notification system to inform us on the water cut,” said Irfan. Air Selangor quickly reopened operations incrementally and fully by Friday. Many local businesses were forced in a tight spot, especially areas nearby the pollution. The News Straits Time reported restaurants around Kuang River resorting to “purchase” water from neighbourhoods and using plastic utensils.

From the 7 regions that are affected, over a thousand residents are affected with varying degrees. “My area was not affected too much,” quote Erica from Damansara. “I still do need to purchase mineral water from the store as our drinking water system could not be used”. Irfan, a student from Bandar Puteri also mentioned the need to buy mineral water for cleaning dishes. “We didn’t want to waste the tank water because that’s for cleaning up”. In Petaling Jaya, senior citizens were affected the most from the water cut. Residents even opt to visit a relative’s house that is not affected by the water cut. 

Actions

LUAS and the Ministry of Environment and Water (JAS) have swiftly done their part to mitigate it. After the initial report, LUAS has sent out a team to do intense monitoring of the quality of each river every half an hour. They also use activated carbon to dispel the smell and release water from dams to flush down the toxins. 

News sources have quoted various acts and enactments; the LUAS Enactment 1999 and Water Services Industry Act 2006 to be used for the investigation, though it is not as simple. Agencies involved in this investigation have their respective jurisdictions to investigate under. “Upon completion, the findings will be reported to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP), then they will decide the jurisdiction,” said Mr. Kirupakaran a/l Visuvalingam, Senior Director of Enforcement of SPAN. Two suspects were arrested to aid the investigation under the Environment Quality Act (EQA) 1974 (amended in 2024) with a maximum of 5 years in jail and RM 10 million compound to the factory, a statement released by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia last Friday.

Our role

The government has done its part to mitigate the river pollution from reaching the public to cause adverse health effects. Since 2019, efforts by all agencies have decreased the number of pollution-related incidents to our rivers with constant patrolling at high-risk areas.

There are disagreements on whether legislative measures that we have were equivalent to the losses. “Polluter-pay-principle (PPP) should be implemented as it will serve justice more effectively”, said Amlir Ayat, Acting President of EcoKnights. However, with the amendment of the EQA 1974, it is justified but it needs to be enforced.