JOHOR BARU: Sungai Skudai will be a Class 2 river within the next two years with the introduction of its Special Area Plan development project, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The Johor Mentri Besar said there are 10 high-impact projects under the plan that have been outlined to be completed by 2030.

He said this includes the relocation of squatter homes to a new area and the eradication of illegal dumpsites.

“We want to ensure that this 52km-long river is clean and lifted up from its current Class 3 category to Class 2 within the next two years, and that it becomes a nationwide example of what our collaborative effort can achieve.

“The public should also be instilled with an awareness that rivers such as Sungai Skudai are a very valuable asset for the state so that they will not throw rubbish into the rivers,” he added, saying there are at least 500 rivers in Johor.

Onn Hafiz told reporters this after officiating the Sungai Skudai Clean-up Programme at Taman Impian Emas here on Sunday (Aug 13).

The Environment Department has five classifications of rivers, with Class 1 being the cleanest.

By contrast, a Class 5 river means that its water is so polluted it is not suited for use, even for irrigation.

Class 2 rivers require conventional treatment and can be used for recreational purposes with body contact while Class 3 requires extensive treatment, and Class 4 is used for irrigation.

Onn Hafiz added that he had also ordered the local authorities to be more aggressive in issuing compounds to anyone who litters.

Meanwhile, Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said tasks under the 10 high-impact projects under the plan have been distributed between government agencies and government-linked companies so that they can be completed faster.

“The Johor Mentri Besar has introduced a task force for the plan which will be co-chaired by me and Johor tourism, environment, heritage, and culture committee chairman K. Raven Kumar every month,” he said.

He added that river clean-up, waste trapping and squatter relocation is about 10% complete, saying that there are three local councils involved, namely Iskandar Puteri City Council, Johor Baru City Council and Kulai Municipal Council.

He added the project also involves Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, Johor Baru Land and Mines Office, Johor Water Regulatory Body and Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.