JOHOR BAHRU, July 8 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Tiram state seat, Nor Zulaila, has called for stricter enforcement against river pollution and greater community participation in environmental conservation, warning that Johor must not allow another environmental disaster like the 2019 Sungai Kim Kim incident.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Nor Zulaila said the Sungai Kim Kim tragedy, which affected thousands of residents and forced the closure of schools, remained a painful reminder that effective enforcement is essential to protect public health and the environment.
She said while Malaysia already has environmental laws, there should be no compromise in enforcing them consistently to prevent future pollution incidents.
“As Tiram continues to experience rapid development and attract investment, economic growth must go hand in hand with environmental protection. Development is only meaningful if it safeguards the health, safety and quality of life of the people,” she said.
Nor Zulaila, who holds an academic background in environmental studies, said rivers should not be viewed merely as waterways but as the lifeblood of communities, reflecting how responsibly development and natural resources are managed.
Drawing on more than 12 years of community service, she said environmental issues directly affect people’s daily lives, including public health, livelihoods, water supply and public confidence in their local communities.
To strengthen environmental stewardship, she proposed establishing Sahabat Sungai Tiram, a community-based initiative involving residents, youths, schools, non-governmental organisations and industry players to monitor rivers, organise regular clean-up programmes, conduct environmental education and provide a rapid reporting channel for pollution incidents.
She also proposed expanding outdoor environmental education programmes to allow students to learn about local rivers, biodiversity, water quality and conservation efforts firsthand.
According to Nor Zulaila, exposing children to environmental conservation from a young age would help cultivate a more responsible generation that values and protects natural resources.
At the same time, she urged authorities to intensify enforcement against river pollution, stressing that compliant industries should continue to receive support while those found polluting rivers must face firm action without compromise.
Nor Zulaila said she hoped Tiram would become known not only as a rapidly developing constituency but also as a model for sustainable and responsible development, where economic progress and environmental conservation advance together through effective governance, responsible planning and active community participation.
— MINUTESMY
