Posted on January 12, 2026
JOHOR BARU: Dredging is one of the recovery measures being considered after fishermen complained that Sungai Sayong Pinang in Kota Tinggi is getting shallower.
The issue followed the bursting of a bund pond from sand-mining activities in October last year.
“Dredging is not a single solution, but it can be part of a recovery plan, especially to restore the river’s depth, reduce the risk of repeated shallowing and restore ecological functions,” he told Bernama.
However, he said dredging needs to be carried out in a targeted and controlled manner, accompanied by a strict sediment management plan so as not to trigger a new surge in turbidity.
The situation previously caused more than a ton of fish such as baung, lampam and jelawat to die and float in the river, thus causing about 150 fishermen to lose their livelihood.
Yesterday, fishermen in Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang, Kota Tinggi complained about their income and river catch declining, in addition to lamenting the condition of Sungai Sayong Pinang near their village which is becoming shallower to only thigh level.
Mohd Fadhil said the surge in Sungai Johor’s turbidity to 37,400 (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit), almost 94 times higher than normal levels last October, would not only affect the water supply and cause fish deaths, but would also leave long-lasting silt deposits on the riverbed.
He said that although the river’s turbidity rate could drop within a few days after the pollution was stopped and the Linggiu Dam was released, the fine sediment that had settled would not disappear in a short time.
“This silt usually settles in shallow areas, fish cages and slow-moving riverbeds. It does not ‘disappear’ on its own.
“Without large flows or physical intervention, it can remain for weeks to months,” he said.
He said continued sedimentation would cause the river to become increasingly shallow, thus increasing the risk of local flooding, disrupting small boat navigation, as well as affecting fish habitat and the livelihood of river fishermen.
“When the silt layer covers the bottom, fish breeding areas will be lost, benthic population will decline and sensitive species will move upstream.
“This will directly affect cage fishermen and Orang Asli communities who depend on the river,” he said.
