Kedah govt gets firm with logging, sand quarrying activities

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government is taking a firm stand against logging and sand quarry activities in the state, in a move to preserve the cleanliness of rivers.
State Local Government, Water Supply, Water Resources, Energy, Housing and Human Capital Committee chairman Badrol Hisham Hashim said it was the government's efforts to improve the water quality from level three to level two.
"If the operators of sand quarries and logging do not observe the rules and conduct logging and sand mining at will, the state government will not hesitate to withdraw their licences.
"This is important in order for us to preserve our heritage and river water quality for the coming generations. We do not want the water quality to be polluted to the point that there is no life in the rivers," he told a press conference at Kedah River Cleanliness Programme at Sungai Anak Bukit here today.
He said the state government plans to minimise the production of timber logs to preserve the eco-system for the benefit of future generations.
Badrol Hisham also urged the public to report activities by irresponsible individuals, owners of vehicle workshops, and operators of food outlets who discard waste such as rubbish and engine oil into the rivers.
"I urge owners of business premises and residents who live near rivers not to throw their rubbish into the rivers and to assist the government in caring for the cleanliness of rivers which are sources of tourism in the future."
He said the people in the state should emulate the example of people in European countries, China and South Korea who work together to preserve the cleanliness of the rivers.
The government would work to increase the understanding and awareness of residents living near rivers on the importance of preserving river cleanliness and provide rubbish bins. – Bernama