Rivers in Sabah in dire straits

The Star 14 Nov 11;

TAWAU: Palm oil factory waste disposal in Sabah has reached a serious level as several rivers in the state have been reported to be severely polluted due to weaknesses in waste management.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Bolkiah Ismail said 60% of factories in Sabah were still using conventional methods to dispose of industrial waste, including toxic residue, into the river.

He hoped that local authorities, as well as relevant agencies and departments, would monitor the situation so that it would not worsen to the extent of affecting the river's ecosystem, environment and public health.

“Two factories in Sandakan have already been issued compounds by the Department of Environment for polluting the Segaliud River,” he said after launching the Tawau-level No Plastic Bag Day campaign at a shopping centre here yesterday.

In his speech earlier, Bolkiah said the use of plastic bags among Malaysians had increased to 1.9 million tonnes this year compared with 1.85 million tonnes in 2006.

Tawau Municipal Council president Datuk Ismail Mayakob said the council would officially kick off the campaign next year. - Bernama