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No water treatment plant (LRA) in Johor has been shut down following a water pollution incident at Sungai Sayong in Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang near Kota Tinggi, which was reported yesterday. State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Fazli Salleh said pollution readings were conducted today and that relevant agencies would update the findings to determine further action.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the pollution is believed to have originated from an oil palm mill, based on a report from the Department of Environment (DOE). The Johor Water Regulatory Body (BKAJ) is continuing to monitor the situation. As of today, no water treatment plants have been closed, and water supply to consumers remains normal, as confirmed by Fazli Salleh.

Fazli shared this information with reporters after attending the groundbreaking and handover ceremony for the RM23.12 million Sungai Pontian Kecil Bridge Proje ct in Pontian. He also mentioned that the state government is planning to gazette five major rivers - Sungai Johor, Sungai Muar, Sungai Pontian, Sungai Endau, and Sungai Sedili - as raw water sources. Information is currently being gathered from relevant departments to determine the protection zone perimeters and distances, as well as to identify potential sources of pollution before the gazetting process is finalized.

In an effort to prevent future incidents, the state government is tightening controls on new developments. This involves requiring early involvement from the DOE, the submission of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, and endorsement from other technical agencies. Additionally, as an early preventive measure, six telemetry systems have already been installed along Sungai Johor, with plans for another six to be installed this year near water treatment plants to enable early detection of pollution.

Yesterday, Panti Assemblyman Hahasrin Hashim reported that the DOE and the Fisheries Department are investigating the water pollution incident at Sungai Sayong, which was reported to have turned pitch black. He mentioned that complaints from residents had been received and that he immediately requested both departments to identify the source of the pollution and assess its impact on the environment and local fisheries resources.