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Malaysia Considers Tougher Penalties for River Pollution, Says Environment Minister

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian government is contemplating the imposition of harsher penalties on individuals or entities responsible for dumping rubbish into rivers, as stated by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nik Nazmi remarked that the idea behind proposing stiffer penalties is to instill a sense of fear among potential offenders, thereby preventing serious offenses that lead to floods and environmental pollution. “We can invest significantly in upgrading river infrastructure, but if we cannot tackle the issue of rubbish disposal into rivers by both authorities and individuals, including traders, we won’t solve the problem,” he explained during a press briefing after a waste management survey near the Selayang Wholesale Market, alongside Sungai Jinjang.

According to the minister, the government is actively discussing the enhancement of penalties. This could entail amendments to existing laws, potentially increasing jail terms or fines for those found guilty of such environmental violations.

During the briefing, Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir was also in attendance.

Nik Nazmi further disclosed that a substantial amount of RM8.2 million was expended on river garbage management in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur between January and September this year. This figure includes RM166,320 allocated for a log boom structure in the Sungai Jinjang flood reservoir and an annual expense of RM150,000 for garbage maintenance at the Sungai Udang tributary.