Sungai Kuala Bakong still polluted

CAP is disappointed that no effective measures have been taken by Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) Kedah to curb the water pollution problem in Sungai Kuala Bakong in Kampung Kuala Bakong, close to Kuala Ketil.

The problem is caused by the dumping of toxic factory waste which leads to an unpleasant smell in the area and has caused the fishes in the river to become almost extinct.

According to a media report, this most recent incident affects the lives of 600 people live in the area. CAP regards this issue as serious and urges JAS to take prompt action so that this situation will not worsen and continue to impact the people there.

In  2011, a similar incident occurred in the same location and CAP responded by sending a letter to JAS Kedah, including Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Setiausaha  Kerajaan Negeri  and Majlis Daerah Baling (MDB) to urge them  to take action.

JAS informed CAP that they had already taken prompt action to control the pollution and planned long term measures to ensure that the same pollution problem would not be repeated in future.

We are disappointed with the recurrence of this incident and concerned for the residents of Kampung Kuala Bakong and also the aquatic life in the river there.

We urge JAS to enforce the Environment Quality Act 1974. They have to be firm and penalize the factory owners who perpetrated this crime. Those guilty of contravening of the Act are liable to a fine up to RM10000 or 2 years of imprisonment or both.

CAP is very concerned that if the issue continues to be ignored by the authorities, it will increasingly threaten the environment and impact the livelihood of the fishermen there permanently.

Press Release, 13 January 2014