KUALA LUMPUR: Actress, singer and environmental activist Maya Karin has lamented the four-day water cut which hit the Klang Valley last Friday.
In an Instagram post yesterday, Maya said that too many Malaysians did not care for the well-being of their rivers, and continued to pollute them with waste from factories and households, contributing to water crises around the country from time to time.
"For the last two years I've been fighting for clean rivers and raising awareness of the need to care for our rivers. Sadly, many of us did not pay heed and allowed river pollution to go on.
"This on-going water disruption is all because we've been tolerating river pollution. And when we suffer a four-day water cut, everybody starts to make noise.
"Where do you think our water comes from?" asked Maya.
Netizens lauded the 41-year-old artiste for speaking out against river pollution, and encouraged her to keep raising environmental awareness amongst Malaysians, and to call for stiffer penalties against companies and individuals caught polluting rivers.
"Well said, Maya. But I'm afraid a month from now people will forget about this and everything will be back to square one," said Ricky.
"Until stern action against polluters is taken, this nonsense will not end," said CP.
In December last year, Maya appeared in a public service announcement (PSA) of the Federal Territories Ministry which stated that "river pollution begins with us".
She was filmed lying in a stream with rubbish floating all around her. Her eyes were closed, as if she was "enjoying" herself in the filthy water.
In her narration, Maya said: "Is it not pretty swimming with garbage? Everybody points fingers when we talk about pollution.
"We often say our garbage disposal system is not systematic or that the authorities are not doing their job.
"But the truth is, it all starts with us.
"It is time for us to change and stop pointing fingers.
"Educate and increase the level of awareness for our future generations."
Maya was appointed as the Ministry's River Of Life ambassador in early last year.