River pollution in Malaysia: assessment of environmental protection measures and sustainable strategies

River pollution in Malaysia remains a critical environmental and socioeconomic challenge, with approximately 28% of rivers classified as slightly polluted or polluted due to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste (Department of Environment Malaysia, 2023). Incidents like the Sungai Kim Kim and Sungai Raja Hitam contamination expose systemic vulnerabilities, including weak law enforcement, inadequate penalties, and poor agency coordination (Ibrahim et al., 2021). Supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), addressing this issue requires integrated, sustainable strategies that strengthen enforcement alongside public education and community involvement to foster shared responsibility for freshwater ecosystems.