LUAS: Riverside activities allowed with conditions

Stacked chairs sit on tables placed directly in Sungai Kemensah as a riverside eatery prepares to welcome customers. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
THE presence of restaurants, campsites or other commercial setups along riverbanks may raise eyebrows, but such activities are not necessarily illegal, according to Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS).
Businesses can legally operate near or even over rivers, provided they meet strict conditions and obtain necessary approvals, the water authority said.
LUAS is an agency under Selangor government responsible for preserving and conserving water resources.
'Any activity within 50m of a river reserve, or involving a water body, is considered a resource alteration activity and requires written permission from LUAS,' the agency said.
This requirement is outlined under Section 43 (1) of LUAS Enactment 1999 and Resource Alteration Activity (Selangor) Regulations 2013.
Approvals may also come with a set of general and specific conditions, while buffer distances vary depending on water source type and river width.
LUAS says it regularly monitors rivers. — Courtesy photo
'Beyond that, some operators may also need additional licences, such as a Licence for Discharge or Release of Waste and Pollutants, a Return Water Licence (Section 79) or a Water Abstraction Licence (Section 107),' LUAS stated.
It said river diversions, embankments or any permanent or semi-permanent structures, including platforms and dining decks, must not proceed without proper authorisation from its director.
'This applies even in hotspot areas like Kampung Kemensah in Hulu Kelang.'
In our report yesterday, StarMetro highlighted concerns of over-commercialisation along Sungai Kemensah.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) had said that none of the 70 businesses currently operating in Kampung Kemensah were licensed.
Despite this, MPAJ said it had long-term plans to regulate and legalise these businesses through a formal whitelisting programme.
MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said the initiative was intended to bring recreational, tourism and commercial activities in the area under official oversight.
LUAS said it conducted regular review through local council planning committees, site monitoring and checks on pollution control measures to ensure compliance.
'Significant pollution arises from restaurants, laundromats, workshops and improper greywater discharge.
'Enforcement under Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 by the local authorities prohibits direct waste discharge.
'River Monitoring Programmes with water sampling at outfalls are also conducted,' the spokesperson said.
LUAS added that it issued nine fines in 2024 totalling RM212,500 for unauthorised resource alteration, and five fines for water pollution totalling RM2.125mil.
Other enforcement measures it took included legal proceedings against those involved in unauthorised realignment of Sungai Pusu in Gombak. — By BAVANI M and SHALINI RAVINDRAN

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