GEORGE TOWN, September 25 – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the government to take immediate action to protect Malaysia’s rivers from increasing pollution. CAP emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of environmental laws, targeting pollution at its source, and preventing industrial activities near rivers. According to the Environmental Quality Report 2023, 4% of monitored rivers were polluted, with the decline in water quality attributed to rising pollution from various sources.
CAP highlighted the formation of a new government committee to identify emerging pollutants and tackle water pollution as a positive step. However, the association stressed that addressing root causes through prevention, stricter zoning, and enforcement is key to ensuring long-term river conservation and maintaining Malaysia’s clean water resources.
