KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 33 rivers in the country have been found to be contaminated, said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said these contaminated rivers were located mostly in the city areas.
"Out of 477 rivers in the country, 33 are contaminated.
"Industrial discharges channelled directly into nearby rivers are believed to be the source of odour pollution and filthy-coloured water.
"The bad habit of people dumping rubbish into the river is also one of the main contributing factors.
"Among the rivers that are polluted are Sungai Pinang, Sungai Jelutong and Sungai Penchala," he said at a press conference after the launch of World Rivers Day 2017.
Also present was his deputy, Datuk Dr Hamim Samuri.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit to Sarawak yesterday, Wan Junaidi described it as Mahathir digging his own grave.
"Opposition groups including Dr Mahathir's visit to Sarawak yesterday will give them a negative impact.
"People in the state are still angry with Dr Mahathir (because) when he was the prime minister, he did not contribute anything to Sarawak," he added.