DOE CONFIRMS DAMAGE TO ‘BUND SILT POND’, RESULTING IN POLLUTION TO SUNGAI JOHOR

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The Department of Environment (DOE) has investigated and confirmed damage to a 'bund silt pond' believed to be caused by sand dredging activities in upstream Sungai Johor, Kota Tinggi, near here.

Johor DOE director Dr. Mohd Famey Yusoff said following this, the Johor water regulatory body Badan Kawalselia Air Johor (Bakaj) ordered the sand dredging operation to be stopped immediately.

“Besides that, we have also directed immediate repair work on the 'bund', but the escaped 'silt' could not be contained as it continued to flow into the river," he said in a statement today.

Previously, a Bernama survey found that residents and fishermen in Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang, Kota Tinggi, near here, were distressed when hundreds of fish were found dead due to muddy water in the river, believed to have been caused by a burst holding pond belonging to a sand mining company.

Police reports were also made by residents at the Bandar Tenggara police station, and they hope that the relevant agencies, including the DOE and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), will take immediate action against those responsible.

The pollution incident had been reported by Bernama, with the report being extended to the State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, and he took note of it.

Meanwhile, Ranhill SAJ announced in a separate statement that water treatment plants (WTPs) along the Sungai Johor, Kota Tinggi had to cease operations due to raw water contamination, leading to unplanned water supply disruptions.

The company will also mobilise alternative water supply assistance via tanker trucks to affected areas, as needed.

“Any updates will be communicated from time to time. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in dealing with this situation," it said.

The Johor water operator announced that the affected areas include parts of Senai and Skudai, Seelong and Felda Linggiu, Kulai; Petri Jaya, Kota Tinggi; and Lima Kedai, Iskandar Puteri.

-- BERNAMA