SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wants heavy penalties to be enforced against environmental polluters in the state.
He decreed this after being told that there are several rivers in Selangor that are contaminated.
"I had been informed that there are four or five rivers in Selangor that are polluted with solid waste and toxic waste. Therefore, I urge the Selangor state government to carry out more serious enforcement against those who discharge waste into the rivers.
"If need be, laws must be made to enforce heavy penalties against those who pollute the rivers in Selangor.
“Apart from that, effort to educate society on the importance of keeping the rivers clean must be heightened," said Sultan Sharafuddin today.
The ruler said this in his royal address at the opening the first meeting of the second term of the 14th state legislative assembly sitting.
It was graced by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised his subjects to use water, one of human's basic necessities, frugally.
He said that water is a gift from God that must be protected and managed properly.
The ruler also noted that the usage of domestic water in Selangor has recorded a higher rate compared to the national rate.
"If this usage can be lowered, I am confident that it can contribute to the conservation of clean water and guarantee a continuous water supply.
"Therefore, apart from focusing on the improvement of the water services supply management, I want the state government, together with agencies such as Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to concentrate on educating the people so that they are aware of their responsibility to appreciate water and not use it as they please and waste it," said Sultan Sharafuddin.
He also decreed that water catchment areas and forest reserves in the state to be maintained and preserved well to ensure that the water source is sufficient and unaffected in the future.
Efforts to preserve forest reserves and the beauty of natural flora and fauna in forests must be carried out.
"The state must ensure that there are no logging activities taking place in the forest reserves and water catchment areas."
Meanwhile, Sultan Sharafuddin also called on Selangor's asset in the form of its peace and harmony to be defended and preserved to ensure continued stability and peace.
He said Selangor is a melting pot of races, religions and traditions.
"I am in agreement and view seriously that all subjects in Selangor must maintain the harmony and prosperity that we have and strengthen the unity that has been long forged between multiple races and religions.
"My subjects must always respect each other and not exaggerate sensitive matters that touches on religion and race that could disrupt harmony.
"Use the technology for positive matters that can contribute to the unity of the society and not to spread slander and fake news and insult someone," he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also urged the assemblymen to debate positively, raise beneficial topics, bring forward current issues and discuss challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, the ruler also decreed that private tahfiz schools in the state, which are not registered with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), to be closed.
"Tahfiz education in Selangor has attracted the interests of many parents and students. In Selangor alone, there are 15,000 tahfiz students in 263 private tahfiz schools that are registered with Jais.
"I decree that private tahfiz schools that are unregistered with Jais and do not have curriculum and modern academic education system to be closed and have its services ended," said Sultan Sharafuddin.