By Zaki MS
IPOH – Fishermen along the Rui River and Perak River have agreed to establish the Perak River Inland Fishermen Action Body to address recurring river pollution.
Environmental Bureau representative Abdul Razak Ismail said the pollution, which causes the river water to turn blue, occurs almost every two weeks, particularly after heavy rain.
He said the situation has severely affected the livelihoods of more than 300 fishing families who depend on the river for their income.
The fishermen have agreed to send a committee from the action body to submit a memorandum to the Sultan of Perak.
The memorandum seeks the Sultan’s intervention in addressing the pollution affecting the Rui River and Perak River.
A memorandum will also be submitted to the Perak Menteri Besar, seeking financial assistance for more than 300 affected fishermen heads of households.
The proposed assistance is for a period of six months until the river recovers and fishing activities can resume as normal.
The action body also plans to submit a memorandum to Rahman Hydraulic Tin, which operates in Klian Intan.
They are demanding compensation from the company following allegations that its mining operations are believed to be the source of the pollution.
At the same time, memorandums will be submitted to the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG) for stricter enforcement.
The fishermen are also proposing fines or compounds of up to RM10 million against companies found guilty of water pollution offences under the relevant laws.
Abdul Razak said coordinated action was crucial to protect the sustainability of the Rui River and Perak River while safeguarding the livelihoods of the affected fishing communities.
