PETALING JAYA, Oct 31 — The Selangor government must follow protocol before dumping any substance into the state’s rivers, said a Negri Sembilan state councillor.
Education and health committee chairman Datuk Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli said Selangor environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong should consult with water experts before adding activated carbon to dilute pollution in Sungai Buah, Nilai.
“They should at least get confirmation from experts that adding the substance would help to reduce pollution in the water and not aggravate things,” he said.
“There are protocols, rules and regulations to abide by. She cannot act as if the end justified the means and said she is doing it for the people when the law is there to protect the people as well.
“We haven’t been able to detect any other source of contamination in the area yet, but we are monitoring the situation,’’ Shamsulkahar added.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali last Thursday in Parliament applauded the Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s efforts in combating river pollution together in the state.
Azmin praised Wan Junaidi for taking the initiative to talk with his administration and create a possible task force group to tackle the matter.
A source from the Department of Environment said the special taskforce would hold its first meeting today.
“It is not a question of jurisdiction. We want to get to the bottom of this alleged sabotage and water contamination as soon as possible and the ministry will not spare any expense to do it.
“The issue is extremely serious as questions of security and public health have to be answered. We cannot allow this to be repeated,” he said.
The source also said the police had been roped into the effort and would assist in investigations.
