Disclose source of pollution of rivers and lakes in Pahang

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Polluted Tasik Chini | SAM

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to immediately disclose the findings of investigations by the Department of Environment (DOE) of Pahang on the sources of pollution of Sungai Pahang, Sungai Temerloh, Tasik Chini and Tasik Mentiga.

Disclosure regarding the sources of pollution is essential because the problem is becoming more serious and threatening  water quality, fisheries and various species of plants in the said rivers and lakes.

SAM regrets that although the pollution has been a long-standing issue but so far no comprehensive report has been presented to the public on the exact cause of pollution. It is more disappointing because of lack of effective action by the authorities to overcome this problem.

The statement of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Berita Harian report of 18 April 2017) that the pollution occurred due to the overflow of water from Sungai Pahang during the monsoon season and not as a result of logging and mining, contradicts SAM’s survey findings.

The Orang Asli and Felda Chini settlers claimed that the pollution of rivers and lakes here is due to nearby logging and mining activities that has been going on for the past few years. The pollution does not only affect their livelihoods but also threatens the watersheds and water supply for their daily use, especially during the dry season.

SAM has also discovered that large quantity of natural aquatic plants in Tasik Chini and Tasik Mentiga are dead. If there is no action taken to resolve the pollution problem, SAM believes that the natural lake will undergo extreme changes due to pollution and sedimentation.

Regarding the pollution in Kuala Sungai Temerloh (Sinar Harian report of 8 May 2017), SAM urges Pahang DOE to conduct an investigation and take immediate action to tackle the problem. SAM believes that if the pollution is not addressed immediately, the income of local fishermen will be severely affected in the future.

S M Mohamed Idris

President

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During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
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SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
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Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
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My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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