SHAH ALAM, Sept 8 — Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, decrees that heftier penalty against offenders found guilty of water pollution should include mandatory imprisonment and a maximum fine.
In a statement uploaded on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook account today, the Selangor Ruler had raised the matter when he granted an audience to Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari at the Istana Bukit Kayangan, here, on the latest updates on the repeated incident of water cuts affecting the people in the state.
Following the meet, His Royal Highness had expressed his concerns on the impact that had befallen the people of Selangor.
“I would like to see stricter enforcement taken against homes, factories, especially illegal factories constructed at river banks, to be demolished as it has the potential of polluting tributaries and rivers in Selangor.
“I have also previously instructed that a special committee should be formed by the state government to monitor and ensure that the rivers are not polluted by chemicals or trash that jeopardises the raw water sources,” the statement read.
The Sultan also said that there should not be any political interference in the enforcement of issues involving the environment and pollution of rivers.
“I fear that if the water crisis continues, the people will protest, which would result in tensions affecting the social harmony,” the Selangor Ruler added.
On Thursday, some 1.2 million water account users in seven districts were hit with unscheduled water disruption after the Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2, and 3, and Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plants ceased operations.
The water cuts affected areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang-Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.
