Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this would ensure consumers are not affected if a river supplying water to treatment plants is polluted.

He was replying to Saifuddin Nasution (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked if the ministry would offer compensation to consumers in the event of water cuts due to river pollution.

Tuan Ibrahim said there were no plans to offer compensation to consumers but his ministry would look at alternatives to ensure consumers are not affected if water treatment plants have to be shut.

In September, nearly 1.2 million households in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor had their water supply disrupted because of river pollution.

In October, more than 1.1 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat had to bear with water cuts for the second time after river pollution was detected.

Hasan Arifin (BN-Rompin) asked if Putrajaya would amend the law to ensure mandatory jail sentences for those found to be polluting rivers.

Tuan Ibrahim said there were no plans to do so but the present fine of RM100,000 may be raised to RM1 million and the jail term increased from one year to 15 years.

“This is to prevent river pollution,” he said.