The Straits Times, April 26, 2007
DANGEROUS WATERS: Sungei Nipah in Batu Maung, Penang, is one of the 17 rivers in Malaysia that are so polluted that their waters are considered too toxic to touch. -- THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
KUALA LUMPUR - A 14-YEAR campaign to clean up Malaysia's rivers has been branded a failure by Environment Minister Azmi Khalid who said about one in 10 rivers is so polluted that it is unsafe for humans.
The water in 17 of the nation's 186 river systems is too toxic to be touched, said Datuk Seri Azmi.
'This campaign has been a failure. From what I see, what people love are the river banks as they are well done up with flowers planted and the like, but not the rivers themselves.
'They didn't realise that the campaign was also aimed at keeping rivers free from pollution and rubbish,' he added, according to the New Straits Times.
He said the 17 rivers were unable to sustain any form of life, and that improperly treated sewage effluent was a top source of pollution.
'Studies have shown that 91 per cent of sewage treatment plants in the country are run inefficiently,' he said.
He said the government would spend RM7 million (S$3 million) to re-launch the campaign in June.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA
Thursday, April 26, 2007
14-year river clean-up a flop, says minister
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My name is Michael Doolan and my classmates and I are trying to clean up our local river (the Hautapu) We come from New Zealand. It was be great if you could leave a comment about your experiences in your project and if you had any ideas or suggestions for our group!
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