KL can learn from Singapore's river clean-up

The Straits Times, March 3, 2007
By Ziauddin Sharuddin

This commentary, translated from Malay, appeared in Malaysia's
Berita Minggu.


MALAYSIA will need 30 years to rehabilitate its polluted rivers and restore them to their original condition.

Some people were jolted by this statement from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage's director-general, Datuk Rosnani Ibrahim, as the targeted period was said to be too long to see changes to the river conditions in Malaysia.

What is the follow-up action for river-cleaning efforts and can the period be shortened? Malaysia can learn from Singapore's success, the latter having till the 1970s wrestled with the same problem.

At that time, the Singapore River was badly polluted.

On Feb 27, 1977, then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said in a speech at the opening of Upper Peirce Reservoir that Singaporeans should help keep the rivers clean.

'The Ministry of the Environment must set a target. In 10 years, we should be able to fish in the Singapore River and Kallang River,' he said.

On Oct 10, 1977, the River Cleaning Project to rehabilitate the Singapore River and Kallang Basin was unveiled.

The project was carried out by pooling the expertise of various government agencies such as the Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Jurong Town Council and Primary Production Department.

The Ministry of the Environment was responsible for monitoring the entire project.

However, how was the cleaning carried out?

A drastic measure was to relocate the sources of pollution along the river. These included industries which disposed of waste into the rivers. The agencies also relocated settlements along the rivers, while providing those affected with housing. Hawkers were relocated to food courts complete with amenities.

One important decision took place in 1983 when barges, which used to play a major role in the trade and life of the Singapore River, were relocated to Pasir Panjang to allow aggressive cleaning of the river. This allowed the river to be re-dug and refuse and mud thrown away.

In September 1987, the environment ministry celebrated its hard work by organising a mass swimming event at the river.

The success did not end just yet. In 1992, URA drew up the preliminary Development Guide Plan that divided the Singapore River into three zones: Clarke Quay (entertainment), Boat Quay (commercial) and Robertson (residential).

The last plan, completed two years later, transformed the river into a waterway providing riverfront housing and entertainment for the Republic's citizens.

The Singapore Tourism Board was also responsible for transforming the river into a tourist attraction.

Consequently, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay became cosmopolitan attractions with outlets and pubs where foreigners and locals can rest and relax.

Today, the Singapore River has become a national landmark - but the project would not have become a reality if not for political will.

Dr Zaini Ujang, professor of environmental resources engineering and dean of the faculty of chemical engineering and natural resources at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said Singapore implemented many new things for its river-cleaning programme such that the water resources management model is referred to internationally.

The Public Utilities Board has enormous power in water resources management, whereas that function in Malaysia is held by various agencies and state governments.

Dr Zaini said Malaysia could use Singapore's approach to speed up the river-cleaning process. Based on this scenario, he disagreed with Datuk Rosnani's view. According to Singapore's experience, river-cleaning efforts could be implemented faster, that is, in just five years.

He is confident that efforts would be successful, provided there is political will. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi had also expressed regret at the quality of river water here.

However, he said the government needs everyone's help, particularly help from the private sector, non-governmental organisations and professional groups.