PUTRAJAYA: Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has given a poultry farm in Johor - found to be the source of ammonia pollution in Sungai Sayong - six-months from Jan 29, to sort out its operations.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he had warned the owner that the farm could face closure if nothing was done to address the pollution issue.
"I have visited the farm myself and was informed by the farm owner that he will adopt a new manure- drying technology from Taiwan.
"This technology will enable fast drying of the manure regardless of the weather," he told reporters after chairing the Environmental Minister with State Exco Members Meeting on Environment (MEXCOE) 2018 today.
He said he had also directed the ministry's director-general to oversea the farm operation until it has stopped polluting the river in Johor.
It was reported that the pollution had affected some 600,000 people in the area since last October, where the supply of drinking water was disrupted, Wan Junaidi said.
The Johor state government had also ordered temporary shut down of the farm operation, following a recommendation made during a meeting chaired by the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) last year.
It was reported that the farm, located at the border of Kulai and Kluang, had also polluted the Sungai Johor.
At the meeting today, Wan Junaidi said a working paper was presented on an alternative to control the river pollution through a "Constructed Wetland" technology by Department of Environment (DoE).
"The department has suggested through its paper that this alternative approach of treating industrial wastewater and sewage treatment could prevent river water from being contaminated.
"This method, where special plants will be planted around the river areas to absorb the toxic in the water, will replicate the natural process of living without the need for any chemical to clean the river," he added.
Five other papers were presented today; among them are National Environment Day celebration, fireflies conservation efforts by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) and REDD+ (efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) Financial Mechanisms.