'UFO' is rubbish extractor for Sungai Klang

[zanderthunder]

 

SHAH ALAM: The mystery behind a white vessel that had been described by folk in Shah Alam and Klang as an “unidentified flying object” on Sungai Klang several months ago, was solved today.

 

It was revealed the “UFO” is the Interceptor, a Dutch river-cleaning innovation docked near the Klang Municipal Council to extract rubbish from Sungai Klang.

 

The river cleaning unit from non-profit organisation The Ocean Cleanup comes under the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG), an initiative to clean and rehabilitate Sungai Klang’s waterways and rejuvenate the areas along the riverbanks in Klang.

 

The Interceptor is one of two deployed outside of the Netherlands, said Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

 

He said it was Selangor’s first international partnership for SMG with The Ocean Cleanup, which was founded in 2013.

 

Its mission is to develop advanced technologies to clean the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic efficiently and in an environmentally-friendly manner.

 

“The Interceptor, which has been in Sungai Klang since August, works to get rid of plastic items in the river and complements the existing river-cleaning efforts.

“It began earlier this year when The Ocean Cleanup was looking for strategic partners in Southeast Asia.

 

“They recognised the efforts that Selangor was already taking to stop plastic leakage into our waters.

 

“We recognise that we cannot do it all by ourselves.

 

“The way forward for SMG is to create a climate of collaboration with both local and international partners, who can bring their expertise and technologies to help us revive the river,” said Amirudin at the launch of SMG “Gateway To a Better Tomorrow” at SACC Convention today.

 

The solar-powered Interceptor is capable of extracting 50,000kg of floating rubbish a day.

 

It is low maintenance and able to operate semi-autonomously around the clock.

 

Amirudin said the Interceptor was on loan at no cost from The Ocean Cleanup for a year and the state government was considering extending its tenure.

 

Source: 'UFO' is rubbish extractor for Sungai Klang (via NST Online)

 

p/s: Here the English translation for some Malay terms/words used, for better understanding.
Sungai Klang = Klang River

Menteri Besar = State Minister