Johor Targets To Restore Two Polluted Rivers By 2027

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Johor State Government has allocated RM2 million in an effort to improve water quality, thus restoring the Sungai Buluh and Sungai Tukang Batu, here, which are among the nine most polluted rivers in the state.

State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said his party is targeting the two rivers to be removed from the polluted category within two years through joint efforts with the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) and the state Department of Environment (DOE).

He said the improvements include riverbed excavation works, construction of effective microorganisms (EM), auto-dosing stations, supply of EM for water quality improvement treatment as well as the Low Carbon City Frameworks (LCCF) initiative with the industry.

According to him, the project has started in September and is expected to be completed this December with the implementation status reaching 70 per cent so far.

"...these two rivers will be the beginning (of efforts to improve water quality), if this project is successful, we will try to bring this initiative to other rivers," he said when met after the opening ceremony of the National Environment Day Celebration 2025 at the Johor state level, here today.

Also present were state DOE director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff and MBPG mayor Datin Paduka Hazlina Jalil.

Apart from the efforts, Ling said the carbon emission rate by the industry was also monitored by MBPG through the assessment of electricity, wastewater use and care as well as the greening of industrial areas.

"Real-time water and air quality monitoring will be implemented, to monitor the quality of river water and air within its administrative area," he said.

Several strategic locations including areas of pollution complaints, hotspots and locations that are high-risk and sensitive to pollution have also been identified.

He said the DOE would also ensure monitoring and enforcement were carried out at the locations involved, including ensuring that industrial wastewater discharges into the drainage system were based on the conditions set.

Therefore, he stressed that the state government was always committed to restoring the water quality in all nine rivers in the district, thus calling on all parties to cooperate in preserving and conserving the environment.

--BERNAMA