Palm oil from the oil palm (Elaeis guianensis) has in recent years become the world’s most important vegetable oil when it comes to production quantity (USDA 2011). Being used in various products, from margarine to biofuel, palm oil has found a role in the West as well as in the developing markets of China and India. The palm oil industry in Malaysia has been one of the biggest industries since 1960s.

A high demand for palm oil worldwide has made oil palm an important plantation crop in Malaysia which contributes to our high National Gross Export (Azman et al, 2004). We know that palm oil plays an important role in economic development of the country but they often forget their responsible in managing the water pollution.

According to the Department of Environment Malaysia, 2010, the total water pollution sources (both point sources and non-point sources) in 2006 is 19.7 percent in Johor and these regions have quite high oil palm density.

Recently, there were water disruptions in Johor due to Sungai Johor being polluted by high ammonia content. This high ammonia content was detected on Tuesday, July 12 in the morning by the water state authorities, and it rendered the water unfit for human consumption. The pollution forced the temporary shutdown of three water treatment plants, Sungai Johor, Semanggar and Tai Hong.

The temporary shutdown of water treatment plants since last Tuesday had affected 120 000 accounts in the southern parts of Johor, not to mention the impact to the river ecosystem. Time and again we have been reminded that water is the basic need of life. Lack of clean water for a week can negatively affect our health. Don’t forget that water is only for drinking, but we need it for hygiene and sanitation.

Effluents from an oil palm mill, belonging to a government-linked company (GLC) in Ulu Remis has been identified as the cause of ammonia pollution in Sungai Johor. This was the second case after an illegal factory processing waste materials was charged for dumping wastes into the river last year.

The question is how cases like this can happen so often? If this mill or other mills operating along the river are not monitored properly, it might even happen again. We cannot even be sure whether the effluent is accidentally or purposely discharged to the river.

Since 1970s, Malaysia has regulated industrial effluents, including those of the palm oil industry. Environmental Act 1974 prohibits the discharge of effluents into river in contravention of specified standards by the Act or relevant regulations to protect our water sources.

The quick actions taken by the government and water regulatory body in Johor is highly appreciated as it protects the consumer rights. Forum Air Malaysia strongly urges the government to take legal action on the industries that do not follow industrial effluent regulations.

DEBBIE INJAN ANDREW JUMAT is research and policy executive, Forum Air Malaysia.