SANDAKAN: The State Government has been urged to give serious attention to the water quality in Sungai Segaliud – a source of treated water supply for 80 per cent of the people in the district.
Karamunting Assemblyman Datuk George Hiew Vun Zin said recently, several quarters, including villagers at Kampung Segaliud, claimed they found dead fish floating in the river.
He said they claimed this was due to an oil palm plant nearby discharging waste into the river.
“The people in Sandakan need a clear explanation,” he said.
“The related departments like the Environment Department should investigate this matter as it involves the people’s health.
“The Land and Survey Department should also inspect whether the oil palm tree planting is according to the law, which is at least 20 metres from the river’s edge.
“Stern action should be taken against companies that do not follow the law.”
Previously, it was reported that fishermen and villagers in Kampung Segaliud claimed that dead fish were floating in the river.
The villagers claimed the incident happened nearly yearly as the nearby oil palm plants channelled liquid chemicals into the river.
Hiew said the water quality here is worrying as oil palm plantations surround Sungai Segaliud.
“Insecticides, fertilisers and various chemicals might flow into the river and pollute it,” he said.
He also said he had raised the water quality issue in the district at the State Legislative Assembly.
“I have asked Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan to strengthen the monitoring of Sungai Segaliud and to take aerial photos of the area, aside from taking actions against oil palm plantations that broke the law.
“The water quality at the Segaliud Water Treatment Plant should also be tested daily,” he said.
