Bills to protect water resources

Natazha says regulations need to be stepped up to meet current challenges and needs.

Two enactments will empower Johor government for tougher action against polluters, says agency director

The Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) has introduced two Bills to be tabled for approved at the Johor State Assembly.

Bakaj director Natazha Hariss said the Johor Water Board Bill and Johor Water Enactment 2023 Bill would empower the state government to impose heftier penalties on river polluters, besides encouraging more cooperation to protect the environment.

“These two new Bills will need to be passed during the state assembly.

“Once approved, we can start with the introduction of the regulations and determine how to move this agency forward.

“We expect the Johor Water Board to be fully ready by early 2025,” he added.

Johor Water Board, once approved, would be the 17th statutory body in the state, said Natazha.

He said the agency would have more enforcement personnel, from the current 45 individuals to 150 new positions, who would conduct surveillance and monitoring of water resources in all districts.

“Besides imposing heavier penalties, they will also be in charge of facilitating more engagement with the private sector and local community in sharing knowledge and education on protecting our water resources.

“This is the main reason for introducing the Johor Water Board,” he said, adding that the board would also complement the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and the Environment Department (DOE).

“DID does not have any authority to impose penalties on water polluters, while DOE’s action is limited to the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” said Natazha.

The Johor Water Enactment Bill 2023 is introduced to give investors assurance that Johor has a legal instrument that is comprehensive and dynamic to protect state water resources, he said.

It would cover more areas and be an improvement from the current Water Enactment 1921 (Amendment 2014), he noted.

“There are only 18 sections under the Water Enactment of 1921 (Amendment 2014), and it is high time that we updated regulations to meet the current challenges and needs.

“Under the new water enactment, we will have 124 sections, which will offer a more holistic, sustainable approach that is also in line with the state’s Johor Maju agenda,” he said.

“We will also be working closely with local councils to control all future developments, especially projects that are located near rivers and other water resources,” he added.

To date, Johor has 11 dams, 18 main rivers, 381 tributaries and 55 water catchment ponds.

On Nov 23, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was reported as saying that the state government had agreed to upgrade Bakaj to the Johor Water Board.