Johor MB lays out plans to clear polluted Skudai River in less than a decade

JOHOR BAHRU - The Skudai River has been reported emitting odor and filled with waste of animal carcasses, plastic bottles and discarded diapers.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has expressed sadness over the deplorable state of the river which runs through the city.

"While carrying out cleaning work of the Skudai River earlier, I saw carcasses of chicken and fish, not to mention plastic waste and used diapers.

"It needs to undergo transformation efforts (formerly one of the most polluted rivers in the country) along its 52-kilometer stretch," he said.

He said this after a Johor Bersih river cleaning programme, here, today.

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz outlined ten measures in the Special Area Plan (RKK) designated for Skudai River in ensuring the progress of the clean up.

Among the measures include enforcement at four squatter settlements and two encroachment locations.

Additionally, the enforcement of illegal dumping sites, physical cleaning of the Skudai River using a mechanical system and building trash traps and the enforcement of wastewater discharge were also among the solutions.

"Apart from that, proposal to upgrade existing trash traps, establish an Eco Shore Park of the Skudai River, river funding proposal and reforestation of the Skudai River are in the pipeline.

"While the plan should be executed within a 10-year period but I request it to be shortened to five years.The cooperation of all parties including the local community is crucial," he said.