From Pristine Waters to Ecological Disaster

Human beings have always been the most destructive beings on the planet – from the decimation of endangered species to senseless killings of fellow human beings.

Perhaps we should not be surprised that even in Malaysia we have allowed our pristine water resources to be polluted by the three Cs.

Malaysia has adequate water resources and rain is usually of good quality away from the industrial zones. Anyone who has drunk water from a jungle stream will tell you that it is clear and clean with a slightly sweet taste.

So what are the three Cs? These are:

1. Competence - Or the lack thereof when we have planners who allow industries and human settlement to discharge wastes into a water intake.

2. Corruption - That tolerates poisons to enter the waters by effluent plants that do not treat wastes to specified standards. And contracts dished out to water treatment companies that do not protect the rights of consumers.

3. Caring - illegal settlers who just treat waterways like their personal garbage disposal system.

The water pollution in Selangor and the widespread flooding is a definite wake-up call to the authorities.

More importantly it is a wakeup call to Malaysians who were so trusting that they drank polluted water supplied by a government appointed contractor.
Let’s face it. If something as essential and basic as clean water cannot be supplied, we should start looking to change those in authority.

Have Malaysians become so tolerant or cowed now that we are just too scared to sack incompetents?

Photo: http://www.parksonline.org/parks/olympic/mikeburke/Sol%20Duc%20Trail%20Stream,%20Olympic.jpg