Like Sakura Chemical Waste Turns Selangor River Pinkish Purple

---

 



The issue of pollution of Sungai Chandong in Port Klang, Selangor is nothing new.
Recently, the river, which crosses Pulau Indah, was so polluted that it turned a pinkish-purple hue.
The colour was so stark that locals said it looked like it was inundated with cherry blossoms.
"In Japan, the river turned pinkish-purple because cherry blossoms fell into it, or from the reflection of the cherry blossoms above it.
"But in Malaysia, the river turns purple for other reasons," said a fisherman, who only wanted to be known as Amirul.
Amirul, like two other fishermen met by Malaysiakini, declined to reveal their identities for fear of reprisal for speaking out against the pollution.
They said they are in a land dispute for the area and did not want their comments to be used against them in that matter.
Met on the veranda of his home on Monday (June 13), Amirul said his small boat changes colour each time it passes through Sungai Chandong.
"If my boat passes through at a time when the effluent is released, my boat will come out a different colour. I would need to wash it as it would be coated with the effluent.
"It is as if I repainted my boat," he quipped.
Earlier, a post showing Sungai Chandong in a purplish hue went viral on social media.
Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on June 4 said the Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) is investigating complaints of pollution of Sungai Chandong near the Pulau Indah Industrial Park.
On June 13, more than a week later, Tuan Ibrahim urged the Selangor DOE to hasten its investigation.
When queried, a DOE officer yesterday told Malaysiakini the investigation is still underway.
Malaysiakini is also seeking comments from the Klang Municipal Council, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Sewerage Department, and factories in that area.
Woken from sleep by bad smell
Meanwhile, another fisherman who was met by Malaysiakini said local folks have endured the pollution for years.
"This pollution has been ongoing for years. We just endure it and we are used to it. It is just unusual for outsiders.
"But I can still say that the smell is nauseating. We are roused from sleep from the smell if the effluent is released at night," said Ali (not his real name).
He said the smell also makes fishing uncomfortable.
"When we go out to fish, we have to cover our noses and hold our breaths in intervals because of the river's bad odour," he said.
Ali said the chemicals were dumped according to the tide.
"When it is high tide, the river will be back to normal because the toxic waste has been taken to sea.
"It will be as if nothing ever happened so many people don't realise it," he said.
"But those of us who live right by the river know this is happening. The smell is very bad. We also see the water change colours to black, red, or purple depending on the type of chemicals released," he said.
Resigned to the pollution
Another fisherman, Azman (not his real name) said those polluting the river appear to have "immunity" against enforcement.
"No one has dared to take action against them because they have 'immunity' and also because they boost livelihoods in Pulau Indah," he said.
He said since chemicals have been dumped in Sungai Chandong, fishermen like himself have to go further into the sea to catch fish.
"We can't fish here (in the river mouth) anymore, everything is ruined," the man, who is in his 30s, said.
This is not the first time Sungai Chandong has seen controversy.
In September 2021, it was reported that the area was inundated with waste like plastic bottles, industrial waste, and used clothes.
Klang Perikatan Nasional coordinator Nallan Dhanabalan said old clothes were dumped on the jetty so they can be swept away by the tide, via Sungai Chandong. - Mkini

---