Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching has urged Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad not to implement water tariff hikes, but to act on those who contribute to Johor having 8 out of 12 most polluted rivers in Malaysia.

Apart from the electricity tariff hike Hasni Mohammad said that the water price hike was inevitable due to the cost to safeguard water resources which had doubled over the years. Water tarrif is expected to increase by 10 to 12 percent beginning next year. However, Teo asks that Johoreans are not burdened, directing the focus on irresponsible parties who pollute the Johor rivers.

“If the rivers are polluted by some irresponsible parties, they should be held responsible for the additional operational costs of water treatment plants,” she said.

Currently, 12 rivers in Malaysia fall in the Class IV category; Sungai Merlimau in Melaka, Sungai Pertama and Sungai Jelutong in Pulau Pinang, Sungai Untut in Kuala Lumpur, and 8 rivers in Johor – Sungai Air Baloi, Sungai Kempas, Sungai Sebulung, Sungai Buluh, Sungai Danga, Sungai Tukang Batu, Sungai Sengkuang and Sungai Ayer Mereh.

Rivers that are unlivable for fish and other marine organisms are classified as Class IV and Class V under Interim National Water Quality Standards (INWQS), with Class I being the least polluted and Class V being the most polluted. There are no rivers in Malaysia that fall in the Class V category.

“It is sad to note that not only Johoreans are currently paying the highest water tariff in Malaysia, but our rivers are also the most polluted in the whole nation.”

“It is imperative for the State Government to urgently improve their efficiency to combat water pollution and to provide cheaper and quality piped water,” said Teo. -The Rocket