Fadillah – the energy transition and water transformation minister – said state governments, local authorities and district committees were pursuing preventive measures to ensure the preservation of river ecosystems.

“These preventive measures can only be carried out at the community level.

“So we bring in every agency involved, raise awareness and make everyone feel responsible for the rivers. This can save them from becoming polluted,” he said after officiating the dragon boat festival here today.

Fadillah was responding to comments from an environmental expert who said Malaysia tends to deal with problems after they occur instead of taking a preventive approach, resulting in frequent river pollution.

Fadillah said a new special committee will detail integrated enforcement measures involving state, federal and non-governmental bodies.

He said dumping sewage into rivers, especially in rural areas, is among the factors contributing to river pollution.

“There are still many villages and settlements along the rivers. As such, the discharge (of sewage) goes directly into the river. It should (by right) be cleaned up and such dumping must be stopped,” he said.

On Thursday, Fadillah said 25 out of 672 rivers identified in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sarawak were polluted.