Story by Chan Lilian
OTTERS are probably something we expect to see in the zoo.
Therefore, when these animals were spotted at the Sungai Pinang riverbank, it caused much excitement.
One person who was especially thrilled to see otters appearing was exco member for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation, Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow posted the photos on his Facebook with this status – “Otters sighted at Sungei Pinang by our iQPR team today! What does it means? Otters feed on fishes and fishes are back in Sungei Pinang. The quality of water has improved. Marine life is back… but we need to get report from our River Care Team.”
The infinitesimal Quantum Persistent Reflection (iQPR) technology is a project to improve the water quality of the river.
The cleanliness of the rivers are measured by classes, with class four the lowest with blackened water where no marine life exists while Class 3 is too dirty for any usage.
Meanwhile, a class two river will be clean enough for people to swim in. Class One is usually those upstream, with crystal clear water.
Chow told Buletin Mutiara at a function on June 20 that the state has signed an agreement with the solution provider of the iQPR technology to improve Sungai Pinang from a Class 3 – Class 4 river to a Class 2 river by June 2017.
“I am excited to hear that 10 otters were spotted. Although it is too early to say, two labs are now doing the sampling of the water to check on the quality. We hope the appearances of the otters heralds good news that our rivers are now cleaner. A lot of money is involved in improving the water quality but it is necessary for the health of the people and the environment,” Chow said.
Chow’s Facebook can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ChowKonYeows