What is the problem?

Penang is in a very ill stated. This is due to the water pollution that struck not only the mainland,
but also on the island which famously known as “Pearl of the Orient”. This is supported by the
claims of the environmentalists and the locals themselves. One of the claims is by the local
non-governmental organizations (NGO) that went to Sungai Tengah River as part of their
missions to plant mangrove trees on that area. The pitch-black water and layer of oil slicks
covering the riverbank when the seawater retreats shocked them much to their dismay.1

On another cases, fish breeders in off Teluk Bahang were at lost when thousands of their fishes
died in the fish cages. They also added, before the incident, there were only few fishes died,
but now, the numbers increases and caused them to lose their source of incomes. One of the
breeders said that they were able to sell almost 500 Kg of fish during festive and 100 Kg during
normal times, but in the last two months, he only managed to sell about 40 to 50 Kg.2

Meanwhile in Bukit Mertajam, a river in kampong Air Melintas Kecil has turned black and
smelly. A resident of the village mentioned that the river was once clean and clear but now I is
just a stinking embarrassment. The villagers also give a nickname to the river, which is “Sungai
Air Itam” or “Dark Water River” due to the riverbed which is in black colour. They also added
the river produces very revolting smell especially during the hot and dry seasons. The smell
still lingering them even the door is closed. Not only have that, the polluted water from the
river overflowed into the resident’s paddy field, which affected his harvest. To be worse, the
water also causes allergic reaction to the residents.3

What causes the problem?

Some of the causes of the problem is the public and industry apathetic or wilfully negligent. In
the case of Teluk Bahang, the factories around that area disposed their chemical wasted into
the sea and causes thousands of fishes died. Although it is not confirmed by the authority.
However, a study by Centre of marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) shows that the level of
nickel detected is 1038% higher than normal in the sea near the National park and 982% at the

1
Loh, A. (2019, May 28). Low tide reveals contamination in Sungai Tengah. Retrieved October 28, 2019, from
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/28/low-tide-reveals-contamination-in-sungai-tengah.
2
Sekaran, R. (2019, May 31). Serious water pollution in Penang. Retrieved October 28, 2019, from
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/28/serious-water-pollution-in-penang.
3
Kaur, B. (2019, April 7). 40 years on, Penang villagers say river pollution remains unresolved. Retrieved
October 28, 2019, from https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/477131/40-years-penang-villagers-
say-river-pollution-remains-unresolved.
fish farms in Teluk Bahang.4 In Kampong Air Melintas Kecil, the river turned black and smelly
due to the dumping of the pig faeces by the operators of nearby pig farms.5 The operator of the
pig farm shamelessly dispose the pig’s faeces into the river knowing that it is easy and cheap
to dispose it into the river rather than build a special facility to manage all the wastes.
Apparently, in all cases, some of the locals themselves keep dumping their trashes – everything
from food waste to plastic bags into these rivers or seas. These items not only clog the water
sources, but also changes the quality of the water and pose serious environmental and health
hazards.6

Next is urbanisation. Urbanisation in Penang also contributes in the water pollution problems.
They mostly in the form of sedimentation, landslides, organic waste and others. Urban
advancement removes forests within a basin that outcomes in soil disintegration and
sedimentation. The price of the “Ikan Kembong” or mackerel soared drastically due to the land
reclamation project by the Penang state government. According to one of the fishermen, the
multi-million project leads to changes in the sea currents. There is also more mud and rocks,
which destroyed their nets and traps.7 This lead to a low number of captures of the fish.

Last but not least, weak punishment and enforcement. In Malaysia, we have laws regarding
environment issues such as Environmental Quality Act 1974. Nevertheless, river pollution is
still happening. Under the act, those responsible will be courted and fined up to RM100,000.
However, how many do we see the guilty were put behind the bars? The value of the fine is
not enough compared to the consequences and after effects of the pollution. Not only that, there
is still no government department or agency specifically monitor and inspect all the rivers and
take action to direct or indirect polluter. In Kampong Air Melintas Kecil case, the residents
have informed the authorities and even politicians but until to date, there is no action taken to

4
Sekaran, R. (2019, May 31). Serious water pollution in Penang. Retrieved October 28, 2019, from
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/28/serious-water-pollution-in-penang.
5
Kaur, B. (2019, April 7). 40 years on, Penang villagers say river pollution remains unresolved. Retrieved
October 28, 2019, from https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/477131/40-years-penang-villagers-
say-river-pollution-remains-unresolved.
6
Penang's Rivers are as Polluted as Ever. (2016, July 4). Retrieved October 28, 2019, from
https://cleanmalaysia.com/2016/07/04/penangs-rivers-polluted-ever/.
7
Chern, L. T. (2019, July 23). Penang fishermen blame reclamation project for soaring prices of ikan kembong.
Retrieved October 28, 2019, from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/23/penang-fishermen-
blame-reclamation-project-for-soaring-prices-of-ikan-kembong.
shut down the pig farm or even cleaning operation of the river. This has been prolonged more
than decades.8

8
CH’NG, S. B. R. E. N. D. A. (2016, October 12). Call for harsher punishment on water polluters. Retrieved
October 28, 2019, from https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/10/12/call-for-harsher-
punishment-on-water-polluters-culprits-getting-away-too-easily-while-residents-suff.