Dead fish stinking up KL pond

THOUSANDS of dead fish at Sungai Midah flood retention pond in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, have triggered widespread concern among the surrounding community.

It has prompted urgent calls for the relevant authorities to investigate the cause.

Residents who frequent the area for their daily exercise were shocked to find the pond littered with decaying carcasses of fish since last week.

“We are puzzled by the dead fish,” said Salniah Ramli, 43.

“Is it due to the heatwave or lack of oxygen caused by the dense growth of water hyacinths, which now blankets the entire lake?”

Water hyacinths, locally known as bunga kiambang, are floating aquatic plants that are considered an invasive species capable of rapidly spreading and clogging waterways, leading to various environmental problems.

“The Sungai Midah flood retention pond is overwhelmed by this plant, giving the lake an appearance akin to a football field from above,” said Salniah.

Decaying carcasses of fish.

She hopes that the agency responsible in investigating the incident at the lake will come forward to explain what had happened.

Sungai Midah Flood Retention Pond Nature Lovers Club chairman Mohd Zainuddin Amran blamed poor pond maintenance for the fish deaths.

He chided Kuala Lumpur Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) for the neglect.

Mohd Zainuddin said a DID officer admitted that the maintenance contract hadn’t been renewed for four months, but had offered no explanation.

The pond, he added, served as a natural habitat for fish and a cherished green space for residents.

Other residents are also dismayed over the deteriorating state of the once-vibrant area.

Siti Noraini Mohd Jabar said, “My husband and I used to enjoy fishing here, but now it is just disheartening to see this.”

Rosie Ahmad from Kampung Malaysia Raya attributed the fish deaths to poor water quality, which had spoiled her enjoyment of the area.

“The foul smell of decaying fish wafts into my home. It is distressing to witness such beauty turn into ugliness,” she added.

Expressing his frustration, Fadil Zainuddin said, “This used to be my daily jogging route, but its current condition has robbed it of its charm.”

A visit by StarMetro confirmed an overpowering stench of rotting fish and empty lakeside area once said to be a hive of activity.

The Sungai Midah flood retention pond, constructed in 2008 for flood mitigation, spans 17.5ha with a water holding capacity of 300,000 cu metres.

The surrounding land, once overgrown with bushes and foliage, was transformed into a recreational area through collaborative efforts between residents and Kuala Lumpur DID.

When contacted, a DID spokesperson said water quality concerns fell under the Environment Department (DOE).

Meanwhile, a DOE spokesperson was informed of the matter but had yet to respond at press time.