Govt aims to improve water quality in 33 polluted rivers in Malaysia by 10pc, says DPM Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The Malaysian government is aiming to boost the Water Quality Index (WQI) of 33 identified polluted rivers by at least 10 per cent within a year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who chairs the second 2026 meeting of the National Special Committee on Addressing River Water Quality Deterioration, announced this target.

According to DOE reports, the number of polluted rivers increased from 25 in 2023 to 27 in 2024 and 33 in 2025. In Selangor, the Luas reported 144 cases of water source pollution over three years, indicating a need for stronger measures. Fadillah praised the commitment of Luas and other agencies in detecting and addressing pollution but stressed that existing methods need improvement.

Polluted rivers can disrupt water treatment, affect public supplies, increase costs, and impact economic activities, highlighting the necessity for shared responsibility in water resource protection. The committee decided to conduct a pilot study on managing non-point source pollution in a local authority area and establish a Technical Committee on Effluent Discharge Standards. Additionally, guidelines for installing floating solar panels on water bodies were launched.

These integrated efforts reflect the government's commitment to tackling pollution at its source, safeguarding water resources, and ensuring national water security through cooperation between various stakeholders.