CAP URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON SOIL EROSION IN TELUK NIPAH

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Kedah State Government, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), and the local authority to take immediate action to address the issue of soil erosion in Kampung Teluk Nipah, Kuala Muda district.

CAP regrets that although the incident caused by hill clearing and land reclamation activities in the village has been ongoing for the past four years, no action has been taken by any authorities to address the issue.

In a survey conducted, CAP found that the seawater in the waters of Teluk Nipah was reddish and muddy due to soil erosion from the nearby hill. This situation has also affected the activities and sources of income of around 100 coastal fishers in the village.

This situation worsens when large waves hit the reclaimed area and heavy rain erodes the soil from the cleared hill. If mitigation measures are not taken, the affected hill slope may collapse, leading to more severe environmental problems.

CAP believes that if the root cause of this problem is left unaddressed, the impact on the environment and the livelihoods of the local fisher community will be even more seriously affected in the future. Marine water pollution and the deposition of muddy sediments could lead to the extinction of marine life such as crabs, snails, fish and prawns.

The area around the fishermen’s jetty may also become shallow, making it difficult for them to land their catch, anchor their boats, and carry out activities when they are going in and out to the sea.

Therefore, CAP hopes that the relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation and take effective action to prevent this issue from continuing to pollute the environment and threaten the livelihoods of coastal fishers in the village.

CAP urges that measures be taken to mitigate and curb the erosion immediately at the affected location to prevent muddy sediments from flowing into the sea and polluting the fishing grounds where coastal fishers earn their living.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)

Press Statement, 15 July 2025