Orang Asli fishermen in Kota Tinggi face livelihood crisis two months after Sungai Johor pollution, with catches dwindling and no compensation paid.
KOTA TINGGI: About 150 fishermen from Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang are struggling to survive two months after a major pollution incident in Sungai Johor.
Their catches and income have declined sharply since a sand-washing pond burst, sending sediment into Sungai Sayong Pinang.
Fishermen now report the river has become so shallow that water levels only reach thigh height.
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Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang Fishermen Network chairman Azman Inan said the sediment is believed to be from local sand mining activities.
The situation has forced fishermen to alter their routes, travelling two to three hours to Sungai Linggiu and upstream areas.
“At times, we are forced to risk spending the night on the river,” Azman said at the village jetty.
He explained that fish fry releases have not restored the ecosystem severely damaged by the pollution.
The incident previously recorded a peak raw water turbidity level of 37,400 Nephelometric Turbidity Units.
It also caused the death of more than a tonne of fish including baung, lampam and jelawat species.
Azman expressed deep disappointment over the lack of response from the company believed responsible.
He alleged the company has abandoned its responsibility and failed to address compensation claims.
“We truly hope that the company would at least send a representative to meet and discuss the matter with us,” he said.
Azman confirmed not a single sen has been paid to compensate the affected fishermen despite police reports.
Fishermen now return with only one or two fish compared to tens of kilogrammes previously.
Fisherman Mazuri Mat, 43, said catching just one or two fish is too embarrassing to sell.
“I’ll just take them home for my family, and try to recover the cost of fuel for the boat engine,” he said.
Each fishing trip now costs him between RM20 and RM30 in fuel alone.
Fisherman Aris Adong, 55, said Sungai Sayong Pinang was once a productive fishing ground.
Fishermen could earn up to RM1,000 a day when catches were good in the area.
Aris now catches only a single baung fish after a 30-minute boat ride to Sungai Linggiu.
“Our income has really declined, but we have no choice because this is our only source of livelihood,” he said.
He has three school-going children and must travel further to cover their expenses.
Aris also expressed concern the sand mining bund could burst again during the monsoon season.
He hopes the state government will closely monitor the situation to prevent another disaster.
The October pollution incident was the worst recorded involving water supply sources in Johor.
It affected more than 292,000 consumer accounts across five districts in the state. – Bernama
