Toxic Chemicals Wound in Southern Malaysian Rivers

Radio Australia

Toxic chemicals including cyanide have been found in several rivers which supply water to Malaysia's southern state of Johor and neighbouring Singapore.

The head of the Johor state water authority says the dumping of industrial waste and chemicals into rivers in the state has become rampant and had forced temporary shutdowns at treatment plants.

One of the largest plants, which also supplies some water to Singapore, had to be shut down at least twice a month, at times for up to ten days.

The pollution had been reported to the environment department but offenders have yet to be caught.
According to officials one third of the country's 120 main rivers are highly polluted.