You might think it is only big corporations that are polluting the rivers and the land, but it is ordinary folk who contribute greatly to the ‘disease’.
To solve this, Friends of Sungai Klang Taman Melawati River Three (FoSK TMR3) founder Kennedy Michael says the government should initiate anti-littering programmes to educate the public.
“Litter by litter, we are killing the planet. People do not consider it important enough to change their behaviour. The rivers are being polluted because of public apathy,” said Michael, who founded FoSK TMR3 in 2018.
“Our river care centre in Taman Melawati is near two schools. I go to the main entrance once a day to collect rubbish as there is a drain which leads to the river. It is a preventive measure – clear the rubbish before it gets to the river.
“I have seen parents throw food wrappers and cigarette butts on the ground. There have been times I have gone up to them, knocked on their car windows and thrown the rubbish back into their car.
“These parents are not setting a good example for their kids.”
He said the government should start an anti-littering campaign similar to its fight against the drug menace in the 1980s.
Then, the government’s anti-drug campaign was plastered all over the media – print and electronic – and helped raise awareness about the problem.
“Why not do something similar to educate people about littering? The Selangor government has set aside RM200 million of its 2021 budget to solve water pollution issues.
“Imagine what we could do with that money if only we got our act together,” he said.
Michael said many do not realise that it is an offence for the water from their sinks to flow into the drains outside their home.
“People allow waste water to go into drains. This is a huge problem,” said Michael.
“The public always thinks it is only big organisations that are polluting our rivers but they are also to blame.
“If local councils were to go knocking on doors to check on this, many owners would be penalised under the Water Services Industry Act.”
Under the Act, sewage is defined as any liquid discharge containing human excreta, animal or vegetable matters in suspension or solution derived from domestic activities and being generated from household, commercial, institutional and industrial premises including liquid discharges from water closets, basins, sinks, bathrooms and other sanitary appliances but excluding rainwater and prohibited effluent.
Michael said the government has taken a soft approach to the issue which is why people have got into the habit of littering.
“There should be stronger laws to deter littering,” he said.
He suggested government servants and top politicians set examples by organising ‘gotong-royong’ once a week to pick up rubbish.
“Can you imagine the example this would set? How much awareness it would bring to this problem if they were to do this?” he asked.
“I do not buy the excuse that there is no time. I have organised clean-up sessions without fail for 181 consecutive weeks. It did not matter if there was a holiday or not. We still did it.
“Our volunteers do a solid hour of cleaning each week. After they are done, there is still plenty of time for them to enjoy their weekend.”
Michael agreed there should be stricter laws to clamp down on corporations, factories and companies that cause pollution.
“We need to punish and fine them heavily. This is not a new issue. The government knows what is happening and I hope it will act accordingly.”
Anyway, today is the 389th day since the start of the original Movement Control Order and this is the 43rd weekly edition of ‘The MCO Diaries’.
NEW CASES STILL ON THE HIGH SIDE
For the second week running, the number of new cases exceeded recoveries with 9,635 new infections taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 357,607.
A total of 9,047 patients were given the all-clear in the last seven days, taking the number of recoveries to 341,489 or 95.49 per cent.
Sadly, Malaysia surpassed 1,300 deaths on Wednesday with the total reaching 1,313 on Friday — an increase of 30 from the previous week.
Worldwide, we are approaching 135 million cases with 2.91 million deaths.
VACCINE POSER
The Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca is getting a bad reputation with Hong Kong pushing to replace it over a possible link between the British-Swedish vaccine and blood clots.
Australia has also halted the use for those under-50 while the Philippines has stopped it for those under-60.
Malaysia is discussing whether to carry on with purchases of the vaccine.
FAREWELL PRINCE PHILIP
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, died yesterday. He was 99.
Details of his funeral are to be released in the coming days but it is expected to be a ceremonial rather than a large state event.
The prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and they have four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
According to the BBC, gun salutes will take place at 7pm today (Malaysian time) to honour the Duke of Edinburgh. Guns across the UK and in Gibraltar will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute for 40 minutes.
STILL MANY COVIDIOTS OUT THERE
Received this via WhatsApp.
LEEDS’ ‘RUBBISH’ LESSON
Several years ago, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa ordered his playing staff to collect rubbish from outside the team’s training complex for three hours.
The Argentine wanted to teach his players a lesson about humility and privilege.
He decided on three hours as it was pointed out to him that the average fan had to work for three hours just to buy a ticket to watch a match.
UNIFI REACHES MY IN-LAWS
Earlier this week, my sister-in-law informed me Unifi has reached my wife’s kampung in Bau, Kuching. Great news for us when we can finally travel to visit them.
ALONE WITH MY FAITH
Harry Connick Jr has released a new album – Alone with my faith – which he recorded at home during the pandemic.
He said the solitude strengthened his Catholic faith and pushed him to release the album which consists of a list of favourite gospel music.
Here he is singing Amazing Grace.
