THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is urging the Perlis Department of Environment (DOE) to take stern action immediately against a factory that was found to have polluted Sg Ngulang, causing the death of hundreds of fishes.

In a statement today, CAP said the problem alleged by locals arose from the discharge of treatment plant effluents from a factory in Bukit Keteri, which is 5km from the said river.

It said Sg Ngulang is a place for people to catch various freshwater fishes and bathing. The water is also used to irrigate padi fields in Perlis.

CAP president Mohidden Abdul Kadir said the association regretted that although the incident, which caused the water to turn black, had been reported previously and the contaminated water had been taken for testing, the problem is still recurring.

“Therefore, CAP is asking DOE, the Department of Drainage and Irrigation and Kangar Municipal Council to investigate the cause of the problem and to disclose to the public the legal action to be taken against those found involved in polluting this river,” he said in the same statement. 

He said the Environmental Quality Act 1974 needs to be strictly enforced with the appropriate punishment imposed on those responsible.

“CAP believes and is worried that if this pollution continues in Sg Ngulang, there will be more serious pollution in the future and this will affect the breeding of fishes in the river and affect the activities of padi farmers here,” he said.

Earlier, Utusan Malaysia had reported that the water of Sg Ngulang had turned black and hundreds of fishes were found dead, causing concerns to the local community. – Bernama, May 9, 2022.