The problem of river pollution is a serious one in Malaysia, where the tendency is to treat rivers like drains. A lot of education is needed to inculcate respect for the rivers and regard them as a national treasure.
The solution is to create a buffer between the river and housing estates. No house should be built along river banks and there should be a river reserve of adequate distance between the houses and the river. There should be heavy penalties for infringements.
The question of illegal sewerage should not arise if housing projects are required to provide proper sewerage systems before a project is approved. Road drainage should be properly connected to a proper system that prevents untreated water being
channelled into rivers. Ideally, deep sewerage is the answer but it depends on its availability.
River management is a complex task and planning is needed to ensure that rivers are kept free of pollution at its source. A good example is Singapore, which succeeded in cleaning up its rivers years ago after careful planning and enforcement so that they are now natural assets and provide recreation for tourists and locals.
Keeping a river clean involves stopping all the sources of pollution. Rivers provide an eco-system for wildlife. There is no
need to destroy their aesthetic quality by concretising them as in parts of Kuala Lumpur until they look like drains. Illegal squatters should be housed away from river banks.
It will not hurt to start a trust fund to protect and regenerate all the rivers that run through the cities because they should be part of any modern city’s landscape. When the public treat their rivers like drains and rubbish disposal channels, it is no wonder they are polluted and germ-ridden.
The once-beautiful sandy beach along Gurney Drive in Penang is now a mud flat. What a shame to still see open drains finishing into the sea and adding to the pollution. If people are serious about conserving their environment, they have to take immediate steps to clean up their act.
Both state and federal governments need to get involved and provide the funding for cleaning up the rivers. It has been a neglected priority.
Polluted rivers and seas are a physical curse to any place and anyone who has visited a place with a polluted and stinking river meandering through it will know what I mean.
Cleaning up the rivers is a worthwhile pursuit for the public. The Government should take the lead or be prepared to fund the NGO doing the job. The sooner the better.
By STEVE OH, Kajang (The Star 6/11/2008).
