KUALA SELANGOR: The state government will table amendments to the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) Enactment 1999 at the upcoming legislative assembly sitting to address river pollution issues.
Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the amendments would not only see harsher punishments for offenders, but will also reward whistle-blowers.
"The amendment will be tabled on Nov 1. Offenders will then have to face a minimum fine of RM200,000, not exceeding RM1 million, and a jail term of up to three years.
"Previously, it was a maximum RM100,000 fine or imprisonment... now the penalty will be a fine and jail.
"Also, whistle-blowers who provide information on the polluters will be rewarded RM20,000 after the investigations are completed and judgment is meted out," he said today.
He said this after visiting the Sungai Selangor Phase 2 water treatment plant with Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
Air Selangor had shut down its Sungai Selangor Phases 1, 2, 3 and the Rantau Panjang water treatment plants after discovering at 2am today that their raw water sources were polluted.
In a statement, Air Selangor said the move will cause water supply disruptions to 1,196,457 account holders in 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.
Hee said the state government has approved a RM1.7 million allocation to purchase high-tech drones.
"The drones will be used during pollution cases, and this will help identify the location of the samples as well as to patrol secluded areas that cannot be reached."