BY: MARIO ADIELA

Ever since the formation of the earth, rivers and streams have played an important role in sustaining and maintaining the lives of the people in this country and this is why there is a need to care for these gifts of nature.

Without rivers and streams, without them being taken care of, there will be catastrophe in this country and chaos as they are responsible for sustaining lives and the livelihoods of many Malaysians.

Historically, in this country, rivers were actually used to demarcate and be the borders that separated the states of the Federated Malay States or the Straits Settlement and this was the important role it played in the country back then.

But rivers still play a major role as the water from the river is used by households for drinking and bathing and cooking and fishermen depend on the rivers to catch fish and other species of river life as a source of income.

The federal territories, state governments and the federal government should draw up a comprehensive Master Plan of rivers in the country which they have to map and survey to safeguard and protect.

Rivers in Malaysia must be pollution free, they must be beautified to be considered sights and attractions for tourists to visit and there must be constant surveillance and monitoring by the relevant authorities.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher