PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry has decided to immediately close all 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang district until further notice.
Its minister Dr Maszlee Malek said the decision was made after getting input from the Johor Disaster Management Committee that had assessed the situation following the recent chemical waste dumping incident in Sungai Kim Kim.
The incident has so far led to 506 people, mostly students, being hospitalised after inhaling toxic fumes emanating from the waste.
Maszlee said students and teachers did not have to attend schools until they were told otherwise.
“The ministry urges everyone to take the necessary precaution and abide by the authorities’ instruction from time to time,” said the minister in a statement tonight.
Pasir Gudang fuming: Total of 111 schools closed
lee chonghui The Star 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has ordered a total of 111 schools in and around Pasir Gudang in Johor closed pending further notice.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said he made the decision after being told that the situation had reached “critical” level.
He directed all teachers involved to “stop work” at once given the severity of the situation.
The list included the 13 schools closed down earlier due to chemical pollution in Sungai Kim Kim, which had affected almost 300 people.
Maszlee said in a statement that his ministry was working closely with the Health, and Water, Land and Natural Resources ministries, and the Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry to ensure the safety of students, teachers and support staff in the state.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih here later, Maszlee said the type of poisonous gas emitting from the river in question had not been ascertained.
“While waiting for updates from the DoE, the ministry is keeping close tabs on the situation.
“The Johor government and State Disaster Management Committee will update us on the latest through the Johor Education Department,” he said.
Maszlee said the decision made on the school closures and others were based on the advice of the committee which comprised experts.
“The ministry’s top priority is the safety of students, teachers and support staff whom we regard as family. The best must be done for them. We will hold a discussion with the committee,’’ he said.
Saying he was saddened and angered by the pollution of Sungai Kim Kim, the minister hoped that justice would be served on the criminals who had caused much suffering to “my education family”.
About 266 victims are being treated at the Sultan Ismail Hospital, with 42 warded at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital since the chemical pollution was reported last Thursday.
Johor executive councillor Dr Sahruddin Jamal was reported to have said that a contractor licensed by the DoE would be appointed to clean up the river.
He said the affected stretch spanned 1.5km and the exercise would be coordinated by the DoE and Drainage and Irrigation Department.
List of 34 schools shut down by the Education Ministry
1. SK Tmn Pasir Putih
2. SMK Tmn Pasir Putih
3. SK Pasir Putih
4. SK Tg Puteri Resort
5. SMK Tg Puteri Resort
6. SK Kota Masai 2
7. SMK Kota Masai 2
8. SK Kota Masai 3
9. SMK Kota Masai
10. SK Kota Masai
11. SK Perigi Acheh
12. SA Kg Pasir Putih
13. SA Tmn Pasir Putih
14. SK Scientex
15. SK Tmn Mawar
16. SMK Nusa Damai
17. SMK Tmn Rinting 1
18. SMK Tmn Cendana
19. Sekolah Seni Malaysia
20. SM Scientex
21. SK Tmn Bukit Dahlia
22. SK Tmn Pasir Gudang 4
23. SK Nusa Damai
24. SK Kopok
25. SK Cahaya Masai
26. SK Tmn Cendana
27. SK Tmn Rinting 2
28. SK Tmn Rinting 3
29. SMK Pasir Gudang 2
30. SM Dato’ Penggawa
Timur
31. SMK Pasir Gudang 3
32. SK Masai
33. SJK Tamil Pasir
Gudang
34. SMK Pasir Gudang 4
506 victims of toxic fumes recorded today
Bernama New Straits Times 13 Mar 19;
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 506 victims of toxic fumes were recorded to have sought medical treatment today following the dumping of toxic waste into Sungai Kim Kim, near Pasir Gudang here, last Thursday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said of the total, 166 were currently receiving treatment in normal wards, while nine others, in the intensive care unit.
However, the minister did not offer the details of the patients.
Dr Dzulkefly, who had earlier attended the special meeting of the State Disaster Management Committee chaired by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, also refuted the viral report that a student had died due to the chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian (centre) with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (left) speak to reporters at the Taman Pasir Putih community hall in Pasir Gudang. -NSTP/MOHD AZREN JAMALUDIN
“I want to stress that the viral report about the death of a victim is not true. There is no death,” he told a press conference at the State Disaster Management Operation Centre here today.
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly also advised members of the public, especially those living in Pasir Gudang, to take preventive measures by wearing R95-type mask at all time and to avoid outdoor activities or being in the polluted area.
Some of the victims receiving medical care at the Taman Pasir Putih community hall in Pasir Gudang. -NSTP/MOHD AZREN JAMALUDIN
“Avoid being in the polluted area and seek medical treatment immediately if having nausea, breathing difficulties, vomiting, eyesores, and chest pain.
“Don’t take it for granted as it (chemical substance) can absorb into the skin and bring harm. It can also stick to our clothes and be transferred to other people or even family members,” he said. -- Bernama
Johor MB: Situation under control, no need to declare state of emergency
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 13 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The chemical dumping incident in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, here, is under control and there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the area.
Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the situation has stabilised and cleaning works at the site is ongoing.
"We will appoint two more contractors to carry out the cleaning works, bringing the number of contractors to three as we want it to be completed quickly. We expect cleaning works to be completed within a week," said Osman.
He also said there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the area.
Taman Pasir Putih residents receive medical attention at the Taman Pasir Putih community hall in Pasir Gudang. - NSTP/MOHD SABRAN MD SANI
"I don't expect the situation to worsen. Our main concern now is to complete the cleaning works as quickly as possible," said Osman, who is also the chairman of the state disaster management committee.
He was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting of the committee at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council's headquarters, here.
Also present were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad and Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
Osman also said that the state government has approved an emergency allocation of RM6.4 million for the cleaning works and as assistance to the victims.
"We have also contacted the Armed Forces, Petronas and the Meteorology Department to provide additional detection equipment that we will install in the affected areas," said Osman.
He said the equipment are needed as changes in weather would have an effect on the cleaning works.
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said 506 victims are currently being treated for inhaling toxic fumes.
"Of that number, 166 have been warded with nine in the intensive care unit (ICU)," said Dr Dzulkefly.
He also denied news being spread on social media that one victim has died.
"There is no death in this incident. All victims are stable."
He said two mobile clinics have been set up in Taman Mawar and Taman Pasir Putih with six medical teams from the Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Sultan Ismail Hospital on standby.
"We also urge the public to avoid going to the dumping site and to seek immediate treatment if they show any symptoms like nausea, vomiting and breathing difficulties," said Dr Dzulkefly.
He also said that the ministry has recommended the use of R95 masks for those in the affected areas.
No move yet to declare sungai Kim Kim a disaster zone
The Star 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: There is no plan yet to declare the areas surrounding Sungai Kim Kim as a disaster zone.
Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the state government was more focused on conducting clean-up work along the river.
Saying there was no need to carry out an evacuation exercise, he advised people living within a 5km radius of the affected area to take extra precautions.
“So far, at least 1.2km of the river is believed to be polluted. We hope to clean up the river within a week as we have increased our contractors from one to three,” Osman told reporters after chairing a meeting of the state disaster management committee which he heads.
Asked whether the pollution could still spread despite the clean-up exercise, he hoped that the situation would start improving.
On whether more schools would be closed, Osman said they were monitoring the situation as there were 42 schools within a 15km radius of the affected area.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad rubbished claims that there were deaths related to the toxic pollution.
He said 506 people were treated yesterday while 166 had been warded.This brings the total number to 975.
“We also have nine victims in intensive care,” he said after attending the meeting.
On the ambulance driver who was warded in intensive care, Dzulkefly said he was getting better and was now in the normal ward.
He urged those experiencing symptoms of breathing difficulty to seek treatment and advised the people not to enter the affected areas.
Second, third wave of toxic fumes could have been avoided, says Bomba chief
Balqis Jazimah Zahari New Straits Times 13 Mar 19;
IPOH: The second and third waves of methane gas poisoning in Sungai Kim Kim, Pasir Gudang, Johor, could have been avoided if the toxic material was discarded immediately upon identification.
The subsequent waves of toxic fumes occurred after the department, via its hazardous materials team, had declared that the air in the affected area was safe.
“The disposal of such materials do not fall under the scope of the Fire and Rescue Department as this involves various agencies under the state Disaster Management Committee,” said Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
“The department is tasked with rescuing those in the area.
“The material was identified and yet it was not discarded.
“I understand that its disposal would incur a high cost.
“So, because of high cost, and a lack of initiative, this material was just left there.
“To me, this is the wrong move. It should have been done (discarded) well before it posed a danger to the nearby community.”
Hamdan said this after attending the Fire and Rescue Department Excellence Award ceremony in Meru, here, on Wednesday.
He praised the Johor government for closing schools near the area as the hot weather could lead to a more severe chemical reaction.
“I had from yesterday (Tuesday) asked for action to be taken with regards to a specific radius due to possible chemical reaction from the hot weather.
“I believe that the closure of the schools and evacuation was necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Winds cause second wave of pollution
The Star 14 Mar 19;
IPOH: The second wave of toxic gas pollution in Johor was due to the movement of the winds as well as the dry and hot weather, says Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
The air circulation around the affected area was now normal following the monitoring of chemical gas readings along Sg Kim Kim, he said in a Bernama report.
He was also reported by an online portal as saying that there would not have been a second wave if the waste had been immediately removed and cleaned up.
“I understand that the activities to clean the river from the toxic waste will be in the form of cooperation between the government agencies and the private sector which has the expertise,” he told reporters after giving out awards to firemen here yesterday.
Suspect in chemical dumping case to be charged tomorrow
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 13 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: One suspect in the illegal chemical dumping activities in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang here last Thursday is expected to be charged tomorrow.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the Department of Environment (DoE) had completed the investigation paper on the case and submitted it to the Public Prosecutor's office today.
"The suspect, one of the three arrested earlier this week, is the owner of a tyre recycling plant in Kulai. He will be charged under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act," said Yeo.
She said the suspect would face more charges under the Penal Code or other laws.
"I have spoken with the Attorney General Tommy Thomas about this. We will charge the suspect with one charge first and when we have gathered more evidence, we could charge him under other Acts," Yeo said at a Press conference after attending a briefing on the issue by Johor DoE.
Also present was Johor DoE director Datuk Dr Muhammad Ezzani Mat Salleh.
Yeo said the department did not discount the possibility that more suspects would be arrested in the case.
"DoE will continue to investigate. We have identified eight chemical compounds in the samples taken from the substances dumped in the river.
"We will use this (evidence) to cross check with the 252 factories in the area to find out if they match with any of the substances," said Yeo.
The chemical compounds that have been identified are methane, hydrogen chloride, acrylonitrile, acrolein, benzene, toulene, xylene and limonene.
Yeo said DoE would also install air quality meters to ascertain air quality levels in the area.
"The meters will be installed at different altitudes so that we can accurately measure the air quality."
She said the ministry's main concern now was to complete the cleaning process at the site as soon as possible.
"We have already appointed a contractor for the cleaning works," said Yeo.
When asked how long the process would take, Yeo said she would have more details following a state disaster management committee meeting later this afternoon.
Illegal tyre recycling factory boss to be charged today
The Star 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The owner of an illegal tyre recycling factory is expected to be charged today for polluting Sg Kim Kim.
Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin says the suspect, whose factory is in Kulai, will be charged under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
The suspect faces a maximum jail term of five years and RM500,000 fine.
Saying the culprit should face harsher punishment, Yeo said she had spoken to Attorney General Tommy Thomas about slapping the suspect with additional charges.
They include benzene, acrolein, acrylonitrile, chloride, methene, hydrogen, toulene, xylene, ethybenzene and d-limonene.
“The d-limonene is from the recycling of tyres and this led us to the suspect in Kulai,” she told reporters yesterday at the operations room of the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council.The minister said the priority was to contain the pollution and prevent it from spreading.
She said the DoE would also
instal gas detection monitors around Pasir Gudang to check on air quality in the area.
It was important to detect the toxic pollutants at different altitudes and also other unknown chemical compounds, she added.
Asked if the worst was over, Yeo said she was more worried about the unknown chemicals.
On long-term measures to protect the environment, Yeo said the DoE would be carrying out checks on 252 chemical factories in the area after the crisis was over.
Asked about other culprits to be hauled to court, Yeo said there was a possibility, but added that a probe would need to be conducted first.