The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has faced criticism for supposedly releasing Siamese catfish, known locally as ikan patin asing, into a lake during a recent fish release event.
In response to the backlash from the public, MBSA posted a statement on its Facebook page to address the situation regarding the release of non-native fish in Shah Alam Lake.
“There’s no ban on releasing the fish into public waters”
According to their statement, MBSA organised a fish release event in Shah Alam as a symbolic gesture for the Shah Alam Fishing Competition 2024, happening on October 27.
They also said the release was meant to help control the balance of species and fish populations in Lake Shah Alam.
“The fish released was a pangasianodon hypophthalmus, or Siamese catfish. According to the poster about non-native fish species and the list of banned species on the Malaysian Fisheries Department Portal, there’s no ban on releasing the pangasianodon hypophthalmus into public waters.”
They’ve launched initiatives to maintain the lake’s ecosystem health
MBSA also clarified that they sourced the fish from a supplier registered with the Malaysian Fisheries Department. Before future fish release events, they will check with the Fisheries Department to ensure that the species being released is permitted.
To help keep the ecosystem in Lake Shah Alam healthy, they’ve implemented several initiatives, including water treatment processes to maintain the lake’s water quality.
Also, as a way to support efforts to reduce non-native fish species in the lake, MBSA will reward the first 100 people who catch non-native fish during the Shah Alam Fishing Competition on October 27.
However, netizens had a different take on the situation, flooding the comments section with their opinions.
“What does ‘for the purpose of controlling species balance’ mean? Are you trying to wipe out the local fish in that lake? What’s next? Control the balance of humans?”
“This is the consequence when departments are filled with those who only do their job half-heartedly. As long as there’s a program, they complete their tasks and go back to sleep. I feel there have been plenty of promotions against releasing non-native fish. How can no one know about this?”
“How can species balance be achieved when non-native fish are released into our waters? Please explain properly.”
“That day, they released non-native fish. Now, they want to reduce non-native fish, and the first 100 to catch non-native fish will get a prize. It feels strange. So why did they release the fishes that day? Was it for this competition?”
“The explanation is becoming increasingly confusing.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments!
Also read: WATCH: SG Man Spends $400 For Fishes From Supermarket Only to Release Them Into a Canal
