KUALA LUMPUR: Punishing the perpetrators behind the river pollution is only half of what needs to be done by the Selangor state government.
Klang MP Charles Santiago urged Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to set-up a task force to end the pollution of rivers and other water resources in the state.
Santiago said the proposed task force should review current policies and practices, and contribute towards developing a new regulatory framework to ensure discipline and coherence in the state's water industry.
"The task force, comprising stakeholders, should identify the gaps and table amendments to specific laws at the Selangor state assembly within the next 30 days.
"It should also identify and address existing approvals, licensing and monitoring practices, propose new regulations, rethink existing schedule of waste management systems and strengthen oversight bodies and financial resources," Santiago said.
He said Selangor could have prevented the crisis if it had proactively enhanced the enforcement and monitoring role of the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS).
He said the proposed task force is the best way to resolve the state's water woes and not political bickering.
Yesterday, the former National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman also urged the federal government to set up a National River Protection Authority to oversee the creation of buffer zones between rivers and factories, where business activities should be prohibited.