KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5: Are you game to bathe in the Klang River?
This was a question posed by Friends of Rivers Malaysia president Prof Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang when talking about the cleanliness of rivers in Malaysia.
He says the Klang River has the potential to be transformed into a recreational swimming spot if restoration and conservation efforts are carried out in a continuous and comprehensive manner.
According to him, river bathing is not merely a recreational activity but could also serve as a new indicator for assessing the cleanliness of rivers in the country.
“People used the river for bathing every day, morning and evening. Back then it was essential. Now, it’s time we use river bathing as a way to measure our rivers’ cleanliness,” he told reporters after appearing as a panellist at the ‘Bila Kita Boleh Mandi Sungai Klang’ forum organised by Sahabat Sungai Malaysia in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here today.
Dr Zaini said using the “bathable or not bathable” as a benchmark is easier for the public to understand than the biochemical indicators commonly employed to classify rivers.
He said efforts to make the Klang and Langat Rivers people-friendly, clean, and suitable for water recreational activities require commitment and cooperation from all parties.
“We need to identify the sources of pollution and address them effectively. At the same time, make the riverbanks more appealing and safe for people,” he said.
Dr Zaini said that the responsibility to protect rivers begins at home, with households ensuring that drainage systems and septic tanks are well maintained and properly connected to public sewerage systems.
He also shared his experiences from a recent visit to several major European cities, where river bathing was used as a new indicator of water cleanliness.
Dr Zaini said that clean rivers not only benefit local residents but also have the potential to become tourist attractions.
“When our rivers are clean, people will come not just to bathe but also to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. Well-preserved rivers could become some of the country’s top tourist attractions,” he said.
-BERNAMA