“In this country, there are many agencies responsible for water pollution, such as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Johor Water Regulatory Body and the Department of Environment.
“However, laws related to water pollution offences and enforcement practiced in those agencies differed from one another. The Johor state government is in the opinion that the laws did not really reflect the importance for us to regulate or monitor all forms of threats to our existing (water) resources,” he said.
The forum was also attended by Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad here today.
Hasni said the proposal followed multiple incidents of ammonia pollution which had caused water supply in the state to be constantly disrupted.
“In tackling the issues of water disruption, we have to look into the legislative aspect. That is why the government has to do something about this,” he said.
In another development, Hasni said the state government had spent over RM500 million this year to increase the capacity of water storage in the state.
He said this involved the Iskandar Malaysia Raw Water Transfer (PAMIM) project, Kahang Water Treatment Plant project in Kluang and the raw water transfer project from Sungai Lenggor to the Congok Dam in Mersing.