Source of Tanjung Kupang pollution known next week

The source of pollution that caused hundreds of fish to die in Tanjung Kupang and its vicinity will be made known by next week, said Johor Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee Chairman Ismail Mohamad.

He said the committee was still awaiting the water sample report from the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Malaysian Fisheries' Development Authority (LKIM) to identify the actual source that caused the death of the fishes on a big scale.

"We have asked LKIM and DOE to take water samples to determine the reason for the occurrence. To find out whether it was caused by land reclamation or other types of pollution," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

Last Thursday, about 10 fish farms and 250 traditional fishermen were reported to have faced losses due to the death of fishes, believed to be caused by offshore land reclamation works.

Neigbouring Singapore was also reported to face the same problem.

Ismail said the government would identify the aid that could be given to the affected fishermen to lessen the burden of their losses once the report on the water sample had been received.

He said it would include aid such as giving out fish fries or overhauling the fish breeding methods.

However, he said, the state government would ensure that the relevant authorities give out appropriate compensation to the fishermen and breeders if if it was ascertained that it was due to reclamation works.