Transforming the Klang River - 'one of the dirtiest in Malaysia'

Elan Perumal, The Star 28 Apr 10;

THE Klang River, Selangor’s iconic river, which is also one of the dirtiest and most polluted in the country, is set to get a thorough overhaul.

Stretching some 120km from its source to the sea, the famed Klang River will be rehabilitated through a proposed cleaning and beautification programme initiated by the Selangor government.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the rehabilitation project would be implemented over five years.

At the recent Selangor state assembly sitting, Khalid announced that a task force had identified four companies that would be taking part in the project.

Khalid also said the programme aimed turn the polluted river into a source of clean drinking water.

He said a Korean company was among the four chosen for the project.

He added that the company had succesfully cleaned up a polluted river in Seoul and turned it into a source of potable water.

“We are determined even though we know it will not happen overnight. It will take some time for the people of Selangor to enjoy the fruits of this project.

“We have decided to involve private companies in the hope of reducing the burden on the state,” he said.

Currently, the river is muddy and murky with hardly any activities taking place along its banks except for some fishing.

Floating pontoons placed along the river at Padang Jawa to trap garbage have also been removed.

Klang Municipal Council public relations director Norfiza Mahfiz said the traps had been removed after the 10-year Klang River cleaning project ended several years ago.

She said the debris collection system was installed by the Federal Government under the river cleaning and beautification programme.

Under the earlier programme, a RM10mil riverside park was built along the river in South Klang but it has not been maintained well and nearby residents seem unaware of its existence.

The park, which houses the Pengkalan Batu jetty, is equipped with gazebos, benches and a children’s playground.

When contacted, Klang Consumers Association president A. Devadass said the proposed project would focus on rehabilitating the river rather than beautifying it.

“We want to see a new Klang River by the time the project is completed and the quality of the water must be good.

“Development along the riverbank must also be done without causing pollution to the river,” he added.

Klang River could do with a clean-up
Elan Perumal, The Star 28 Apr 10;

WHEN I first heard about the Selangor government’s latest plan to rehabilitate the Klang River, I could not help but recall my experience of cruising down the river about five years ago.

I was part of a group of journalist who joined local politicians and government officers for a boat ride to inspect the river.

It may have been a short trip from South Klang to Padang Jawa, covering a distance of less than 5km, but it was the most unpleasant river “cruise” I had ever been on.

What struck me the most was not the quality of the water but the amount of garbage that could be seen floating in the river.

I would not be exaggerating when I say that it appeared as if we were floating on rubbish instead of water. The stench was also unbearable.

It has been five years since that cruise but I can safely say that the condition of the river has not improved by much since then.

Statistics provided by the authorities on the condition of the river are also disheartening and the condition of the Klang River is so bad that many do not realise its geographical and historical significance.

Being a Klang resident who frequently drives across the river, I strongly feel that it is an important feature for the town.

One cannot separate the river from the town, especially since it is believed that the town was named after the river.

The Klang River also has significant historical value as it was used to transport tin from as far away as Kuala Lumpur.

Soon, going by the announcement made by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the river is set to become a mode of transportation again.

The mentri besar also said ferry services could be provided and this would benefit the public and the tourism industry alike.

“Tourists can visit Klang via the Klang River which will be clean and offer a beautiful view of its banks,” he said.

I hope the Selangor government is serious in its efforts to offer river cruises as an alternative mode of transportation as it would also help ease the increasing traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.

After hearing so much over the last 15 years on how the authorities are planning to transform the dirty Klang River into one like the Thames, I can only hope that this five-year Klang River rehabilitation programme will materialise.

When it happens, count on me to be among the first to line up for a “real” cruise along the Klang River.