> Much ado about water
Re: “Consumers up in arms over water disruption”, The Star, Sept 4 (online at bit.ly/star_supply). I think legislators should really consider Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia president S. Piarapakaran’s suggestion to treat polluters in the same category as terrorists. This would be a very strong deterrent for polluters. Otherwise, water cuts will be a never-ending story for people in the Klang Valley.
The focus shouldn’t just be on the owners of the factory accused of causing the water odour pollution. The police should also check which state or local authority approved the location of the factory upstream of a water treatment plant. Also, why was the Department of Environment’s enforcement of existing by-laws so relaxed after a first offence had been committed by the same factory six months ago? – Lee Hui Seng
In 2010 I was part of a team studying the redevelopment of Sungai Klang. One of the major recommendations was to have a 500m factory-free corridor on both sides of the river, replaced by mixed development – in particular, residences complemented by an elevated MRT. Why weren’t these recommendations implemented? In the meantime, I suggest imposing jail sentences on repeat offenders who cause serious hardship for the rakyat and losses for businesses.
– Prof (B) Dr Ir
Not all of us have access to the Internet and smartphones. Air Selangor should have gone on rounds in affected neighbourhoods and made the water disruption announcement via a PA system. Otherwise, though, Air Selangor is doing a splendid job supplying water to millions of people over the years. This is surely not a mean feat.
– WW Robert, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
> Be proactive over floods
Why do the authorities only take action against floods after they have occurred? Can’t the Drainage and Irrigation Department help to prevent floods from occurring in the first place?
> Leave religion to experts
In his Sunday column, On the Beat, Wong Chun Wai summarised the several instances where wine is mentioned in the Bible (“Wine and wonder in the Bible”, Sunday Star, Sept 6; online at bit.ly/star_ wine). To suggest, as one MP has, that this holy book prohibits the partaking of alcohol can only cause confusion and lead to misunderstanding. Leave religion to the theologians.
– Beatle No.5