Sewage turns Redang waterway black, foul-smelling
KUALA NERUS: Behind the pristine beauty of Pulau Redang, one of the country’s renowned tourist destinations, lies a growing environmental concern at Pantai Panjang, where a once-clear waterway has turned black and emits a foul odour.
Situated near the picturesque Pulau Redang, a popular tourist hotspot, lies a troubling environmental issue at Pantai Panjang, where a previously pristine waterway has transformed into a black, foul-smelling body of water. The contamination is thought to be caused by sewage overflow from adjacent resorts, with wastewater infiltrating a drainage channel and potentially reaching the sea, especially during high tides and rough monsoon weather.
A survey revealed that resort operators had constructed sewage systems without proper treatment facilities, and the existing holding tanks were deemed ineffective as wastewater treatment methods. What was once a clean water source and bathing spot for villagers around Pulau Redang has now shifted from its former clarity to a starkly altered color and odor.
Terengganu Department of Environment (DOE) director Hamzah Mohamad stated that the holding tanks used in the area do not constitute sewage treatment methods, emphasizing that each facility should possess its own treatment system adhering to established standards. The Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009 stipulate that all facilities within marine park areas must comply with Standard A, indicating a lack of adequate treatment in the observed water.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment, and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris noted that the issue of wastewater discharge from resorts in the area had been an ongoing concern for several years, despite efforts to address it. The state government had previously allocated RM100,000 to temporarily divert the water flow, but the problem has resurfaced.
Razali proposed that a contractor be willing to invest in constructing and managing a sewage treatment plant, aiming to tackle wastewater discharge from resorts around Pantai Panjang more effectively.
Resident Maarop Ismail, 60, called on all parties, including resort operators, to prioritize environmental preservation alongside profit-making. He urged resorts discharging sewage into the river to focus not only on financial gains but also on mitigating the pollution affecting Redang's beaches. Failure to address the issue could lead to future health concerns for residents and visitors alike.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
