February 26th 2009
Klang River Pollution
Chinese Expertise Sought To Fix Klang River
KLANG: A river rehabilitation expert from Shanghai, China, has proposed to the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government to rehabilitate Klang River.
The expert is confident that Chinese technology will be able to completely clean up the heavily polluted Klang River, even to turn it into a source of drinkable water.
The expert has recently met Ronnie Liu, the state exco in charge of local government, research and development.
Ronnie told Sin Chew Daily that he would reflect the views of the Shanghai expert to the menteri besar.
“If feasible, and pricing is reasonable, the Chinese expert could be commissioned to clean up Klang River.”
He said, after studying the degree of pollution of Klang River, the Chinese expert was confident that the technology employed in China could be used here to clean up Klang River, even to turn it into a source of drinkable water.
He said as a matter of fact, the water of Klang River was not as dirty as some have imagined.
In order to prove what Ronnie had said, Sin Chew Daily reporter made a field trip to the river and was surprised to see large fishes swimming in it.
Anglers have also noticed that more and more fishes are available in the river nowadays.
Residents in Klang are used to the sight of garbage floating on the river, and could be forgiven for not remembering how crystal clear the river used to be.
According to those who have been living in the town for decades, Klang River used to be very clean and uncontaminated during the early years. They said local residents loved to fish on the river banks and were often rewarded with good catches, especially shrimps.
However, like any river flowing through rapidly developing cities around the world, Klang River could not be exempted from heavy pollution, and the water has gradually changed from being crystal clear to brownish.
Besides, local residents have also treated the river as a dumping ground, resulting in all kinds of garbage drifting on it.
It was even said crocodiles used to appear in the river during the early years.
It has become an undeniable fact that Klang residents love to fish, and many of them hang around the port. Pier 7A for boats plying between Port Klang and Pulau Ketam has been popular among anglers especially in the evenings.
And because fishing is such a popular hobby there, the local authorities have to put up signs to prohibit fishing around the bridges.
Other major fishing spots include the bridges at North Port and West Port, Bridge No 8 (Lovers’ Bridge), Hainan Village private fishing pier, South Port and Pulau Ketam. Some anglers even hire boats to fish in the open sea while the more affluent would rent a yacht to engage in their hobby. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew 2009.02.25
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Dear Ronnie Liu, as an avid angler at Port Klang, you have my support on what you are doing to our Klang River and i thank you. Yes, i have seen the ‘clear water’ days of Klang River and it’s filled with sea-life. Ppl living beside the river was able to ‘make a living’ just by fishing. Those days, don’t say crocodile, even araipaima(a type of giant amazon fish) also can be found in that river(it was published in the newspaper once). Sad, those glory days are gone…
Those ‘giant fishes’ that the news reporter(sinchew) saw is a Ikan Patin. Ikan Patin was released by MPK to help maintain the river pollution as this fish eats most of the edible garbage ie human waste in the river. Thus this fish grows big fast. I have ‘fished’ this ikan patin before in Klang River and they are huge just by using gardenia bread as bait. And i did try to eat them as Ikan Patin is edible. The Klang River Ikan Patin is beyond edible, they have ‘kerosene’ smell in their ‘meat’ even after cleaning it with lemon/vinegar/asamjawa etc before cooking it. So, i have always advice ppl, not to eat Ikan Patin from Klang River. I believe the ‘kerosene’ smell in the fish meat is caused by pollution and prolly it’s harmful to human after long period of consuming this polluted fish. I hope maybe the Health Ministry can get a few sample of this Klang River Ikan Patin for toxic analysis and advice the public weather this fish is safe to consume or not…
As on those fishing area you suggested to put up ‘No Fishing’ sign, i also fully support you. I have been advising ppl like ages already that fishing on those bridges is dangerous!!! Esp at the West Port Bridge and the North Port Bridge, many have become victim of hit by passing by vehicle while fishing at those bridges. Yes, you can rent a boat to fish at Port Klang estuary, Pulau Ketam, Pulau Angsa or go to those ‘Fishing Jetty’ like Pantai Aceh at Pulau Indah…
If you like to know more about fishing in Port Klang, pls do not hesitate to contact me at kurauking@gmail.com, thanks
Regards
KK
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More at :- Klang River Pollution 2