Govt plans to increase water pollution fine to RM10 mil, jail sentence to 15 years, says Nik Nazmi

• Other amendments that the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change planned under Act 655 are to list new offences that cause the closure of the water supply system, as well as to enable the water service licence holder to reclaim the restoration cost.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): The Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change plans to increase the water pollution fine to RM10 million from RM100,000, and the jail sentence to 15 years from one year.

Its Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pictured) said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Feb 16) that the current plan is to table this amendment under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) in June.

Other amendments that the ministry planned under Act 655 are to list new offences that cause the closure of the water supply system, as well as to enable the water service licence holder to reclaim the restoration cost.

At a press conference, Nik Nazmi added that the ministry also plans to amend the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) in two phases to curb pollution incidents.

He said that the first phase involves elements of compounding and penalties to ensure that strict action can be taken against perpetrators and offenders who cause environmental pollution.

“The phase one amendment is being refined, and is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the fourth quarter of 2023,” Nik Nazmi said.

“The phase two amendment that will empower Act 127 in its entirety is still being refined and studied together with legal and environmental experts.”

Based on the ministry's research, he said, the phase two amendment draft needs to involve engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders, such as government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and industry parties.

“The ministry is also implementing a number of non-structural approaches and nature-based solutions to provide education and public awareness of river sustainability, and ensure the quality of river water is guaranteed,” Nik Nazmi said.

During the minister's question time, he said that the rate of non-revenue water in Malaysia is about 20%, with the rate in some states at 60%.

“For advanced countries, they aim for 10% to ensure water pollution does not cause supply disruption to consumers,” Nik Nazmi said.