No need to declare state of emergency, but there is need to be cautious: Malaysian PM
Hazlin Hassan Straits Times 15 Mar 19;
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday that the toxic chemical incident in Pasir Gudang district in Johor is "under control", as he visited the southern state which is grappling with the clean-up of a river and the treatment of more than 2,700 people who had taken ill after inhaling the noxious fumes.
Seven people were still in critical condition yesterday, down from the 12 reported on Wednesday.
The alarm caused by the incident led the Malaysian Parliament to debate yesterday whether the federal government should declare an emergency for the area in south-east Johor, just north of Pulau Ubin.
"The community here must view it as a serious matter but... everything is under control," Tun Dr Mahathir told a news conference yesterday.
Asked if a state of emergency needed to be declared, he said: "It has not reached that level. We do not need to declare a state of emergency or evacuate residents. We just need to be cautious."
He added: "We cannot say the worst is over; on the other hand, we don't think it is going to be more serious than now. What is important is that we know how to handle this problem."
Malaysia's de facto Deputy Law Minister Hanipa Maidin told Par-liament that a state of emergency was not necessary as the Johor government had not asked for such a declaration.
All 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered closed by the Education Ministry on Wednesday after scores of students were taken ill.
The federal government has approved a one-off RM8 million (S$2.7 million) allocation for clean-up works, adding to RM6.4 million being disbursed by Johor and a RM1 million donation by the Sultan of Johor.
The incident is believed to have occurred when toxic chemicals, believed to be from an illegal tyre recycling plant in Kulai, Johor, were dumped into Sungai Kim Kim last week.
A hazardous materials response team that conducted tests on samples found the presence of benzene, toulene, xylene, ethylbenzene and d-limonene, with the last chemical usually a by-product of recycling tyres, Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said yesterday.
The Johor and federal authorities were working together to clean up the waste, focusing on a 1.5km stretch of the river which discharges into the Strait of Johor to the north of Pulau Ubin.
Ms Yeo said the military and national oil firm Petronas are also being roped in to assist in clean-up operations.
"The Department of Environment has discovered that the pollution is caused by a black oil-like substance which was dumped in Sungai Kim Kim," she said.
In two major Johor hospitals, health officials were treating people - mostly students - who had been affected by the fumes.
Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Sultan Iskandar asked the state's Menteri Besar Osman Sapian to set up a special committee to ensure that a similar disaster will not recur. The ruler suggested the implementation of an early warning system for air or water pollution incidents.
A total of 2,775 people have sought treatment at hospitals and clinics in various parts of Johor due to the toxic waste, said Johor's health, environment and agriculture committee chairman Sahruddin Jamal.
Political finger-pointing has already surfaced, with the opposition attacking the Pakatan Harapan government in Parliament for allegedly being slow to react to the crisis that started last week, when the toxic waste was first discovered.
Three men were arrested earlier this week over the toxic waste dumping. The authorities had wanted to charge the owner of the illegal tyre recycling factory yesterday, but delayed the move in order to obtain more details from the investigations.
‘No need to declare disaster area’
nelson benjamin, mohd farhaan shah, and remar nordin The Star 15 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The government feels that there is no need to declare Sg Kim Kim and its vicinity as a disaster area or evacuate people.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that it has not yet reached the level which required evacuation.
“The people should have faith in the government in handling this issue.
“The government is doing it to the best of our ability, as this is the first of its kind as it involved gases,” he said after a working visit to the disaster area and to visit victims at the hospital.
But residents living in the district are taking action into their own hands by leaving their homes due to the toxic air despite the state government saying the condition is under control.
Mother of five Noor Aishah Ibrahim, 46, sent all her children back to their hometown in Batu Pahat after one of her children showed symptoms of breathing difficulties on Wednesday.
“My son, Muhammad Harris Safwan M. Razali, 16, is one of the victims from SMK Nusa Damai who was rushed for medical treatment in Dewan Taman Pasir Putih.
“The health check said he was alright, so after some rest I bought some coconut drinks to make him feel better,” she said yesterday.
She added that she was waiting for her husband to return from work in Kuantan before going to Batu Pahat to wait until the situation improves.
Another parent, Rahmah Rahmat, 53, said that she never felt such anxiety in protecting her children.
“My house is in Taman Bukit Mawar and I have ensured that all windows remain closed.
“I have also told my children not to sit outside the house,” she said.
Self-employed Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, 47, said he took his three children to Johor Baru to put up in a hotel for safety reasons.
“We have been staying at the hotel since Wednesday night. There is so much confusion over the toxic fume as some claimed it is odourless while others say it smells,” he said.
He added that if the situation prolonged, he would go back to his family’s house in Batu Pahat to wait it out.
Teacher Mahirah Ahmad Helmi, 32, and her two children are now staying at her father-in-law’s house in Kempas following the incident.
“My two daughters showed symptoms such as coughing and red eyes and were treated at the Sultan Ismail Hospital.
“I decided to leave my house and most of my neighbours have also done the same because we do not feel safe staying here,” she said.
PM satisfied with Pasir Gudang crisis management
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said those handling the incident involving the illegal chemical dumping in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang gave done a good and effective job.
He said although this is the first time such incident had happened, the authorities, including the police, firemen and the medical personnel have handled it competently and effectively.
"The public assumed that this is a serious matter, but we also have to remember that the authorities have the capabilities to handle such matter," said Dr Mahathir.
He also reiterated that the situation is under control and that there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas.
"We also have no plans to evacuate the people in the area. What is important is for those in charge to be ready so if there is any recurrence of the incident, they would know how to handle it.
"We should put our faith in the people handling the matter," said Dr Mahathir in a press conference after visiting the victims at the Sultan Ismail Hospital here.
Also present were his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.
Earlier, both Dr Mahathir and Dr Wan Azizah attended a briefing on the incident at the district Disaster Management Committee operation room at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council headquarters.
Dr Mahathir said the government is taking note of the serious nature of the incident as it is the first time that it had happened.
"In previous cases, the chemicals involved are in solid or liquid form. This is the first time that we are dealing with toxic gas."
The prime minister also said that the government is willing to review related laws in order to prevent such incident from happening again.
When asked if the worst is over, Dr Mahathir said: "We can't say that the worst is over, but on the other hand, we will not say that the situation will get more serious.
“What is important is that we know how to handle the problem."
Anwar: Sungai Kim Kim incident is a huge catastrophe
Nur Aqidah Azizi New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
PORT DICKSON: Poor planning is one of the factors that contributed to the contamination of Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor, said Port Dickson Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the current incident served as a great reminder on the safety factor and the toxic waste disposal that should not be taken lightly.
“This is a huge and a very serious catastrophe. It’s not a natural disaster but it’s due to poor planning.
“As we try to attract investors, we cannot side line this issue. The safety of the people and our children should be given utmost priority,” he said when asked to comment on the chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang.
To date, a total of 2,775 victims have been treated due to the pollution, while 111 schools and 92 kindergartens and nurseries have been closed.
When asked further, Anwar however admitted that he could not comment further on the issue and said responsible minister had taken immediate action to control the situation.
“Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy too have gone down to the ground to check on the situation,” he said.
He added that it is also high time for stern and aggressive actions to be taken against any individuals who committed any form of environment pollutions.
Toxic fumes: DPM to be in Pasir Gudang today
Syed Umar Ariff New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be in Pasir Gudang, Johor today to gauge the current situation and whether it necessitates an emergency.
The deputy prime minister said subsequently a meeting would be held between the state government and relevant authorities before reaching a decision.
“I will be in Pasir Gudang in the evening to look at the current situation and how to deal with matter, which include (declaring an) emergency. As of now, the problem is considered to be of state-level (crisis). It has to be a national-level (crisis).
“This is something worrying and we need to take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of the people and especially children.
“(On declaring an emergency) we will have a meeting on that. We must consider (on how to tactfully) resolve the issue. We do not want to create panic,” Dr Wan Azizah told the media today at the parliament.
The recent chemical waste dumping incident in Sungai Kim Kim has so far led to 506 people, mostly students, being hospitalised after inhaling toxic fumes emanating from the chemical waste.
The education ministry has also ordered all 111 schools in the district to be closed indefinitely.
Dr Wan Azizah also said the government was prepared to carry out an evacuation from affected areas in the district as suggested by the fire and rescue department.
“We also want to take action as recommended by the (Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin ) minister.
“We want to take long-term measures (to prevent such cases from recurring),” Dr Wan Azizah said referring to Yeo’s proposal for a stiffer penalty against illegal dumping of chemicals.
Army sends CBRN unit to assist operations at site of chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang
New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: The army has sent a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) team to Pasir Gudang to assist operations at the site where toxic chemical pollution has occurred.
In a statement yesterday, the army said the team, from the 12th Squadron of the Royal Army Engineers Regiment, would lend its expertise to efforts at the site.
The team, comprising four officers and 21 men led by Lieutenant-Colonel Norhelmi Ismail, is equipped with sampling equipment, lightweight chemical detectors and complete CBRN suits.
The statement said the team had already reported to the National Disaster Agency control centre at the Taman Pasir Putih multipurpose hall.
“The CBRN’s anti-pollution team is also being made ready to be deployed to assist in cleaning up those involved in the operation as well as the affected areas. They will assist the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) teams already on site.
“Apart from this, the army has also sent a team from the Casualty Evacuation Unit (CEU), comprising a medical officer and three paramedics, along with an ambulance. They will work with the anti-pollution team,” it said.
Ministries sending aid to Pasir Gudang
SYED UMAR ARIF New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Several ministries are working around the clock to help resolve the toxic crisis in Pasir Gudang.
Ministers in charge of environment, defence, health, education and agriculture yesterday provided an update to the Dewan Rakyat on the measures taken to assuage the situation which has been deemed as critical.
Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Munirah Majilis said assets from other states had been mobilised to Johor to carry out investigation into 254 chemical factories in Pasir Gudang within the next three days.
Munirah said 29 investigators from Johor Department of Environment (DoE), for instance, had been divided into six teams tasked with the probe.
"The (Federal) DoE has been instructed to get additional help from other states. As of now, there are 13 teams made up of 40 investigators from other states are on the ball since early today.
"The police have also erected blockades within the area (district) to monitor the movement of illegal solid waste.
"The DoE will carry out a continuous sampling of water from at least three locations of illegal toxic dumping site at the headwaters and river streams of Sungai Kim Kim," Munirah said during debate on the extraordinary motion tabled by Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang-PH) at the parliament today on whether there would be a need to declare a state of emergency.
Munirah also said Petronas also played a role in the operation through the use of its "air dispersal modular" which could have determine the toxic vaporisation, among others.
She also said four additional contractors have been hired for cleaning-up works
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the army's chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE) team is currently working to locate, identify and dispose the toxic source.
"The emergency combat unit is also on location. The situation is serious.
"The army stands ready, at any given time or necessity, to be there and work hard until the situation is back to normal."
Education Minister Maszlee Malik said apart from ensuring the safety of school children in the vicinity, the ministry would aid those affected by the crisis in monetary compensation.
"Students who were treated in hospitals will be insured under Takaful Insurance Malaysia and the ministry will aid them in making claims.
"We have also mobilised our machinery from the state and district education departments to monitor the movement of school staff and children over concerns for their wellbeing."
He said the Johor State Disaster Management Committee had assisted the education ministry in managing related agencies.
"(For instance) we had worked together in managing the victims by converting the Taman Pasir Putih and Taman Mawar community halls as treatment operations centres."
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said as of now, a total of 1,568 cases of victims poisoned by the fumes had been reported.
Out of the number, 1,171 victims received outpatient treatment, 397 warded, including 13 being admitted into intensive care units.
Six psycho-social response teams had been mobilised to provide emotional support help counsel traumatised patients, and checks on food in the district to ensure safe consumption.
"As of now, only seven patients remain in the ICUs. Seventy patients (from the wards) had been discharged.
"We are also carrying our risk evaluation on water catchment areas as a pre-emptive measure. R95 masks are also being distributed because the (toxic) is oil-based solvent."
Dr Dzulkefly said so far no death had been reported.
"Do not believe in rumours about deaths. Please refer to official statements."
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said agencies under his ministry had been working to provide support in the crisis.
Environment Ministry mobilises resources from other states to help in Pasir Gudang
martin carvalho, hemananthani sivanandam, rahimy rahim, and tarrence tan The Star 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis says the ministry has deployed resources from other states to Johor to check all 254 chemical factories in the Pasir Gudang area within three days.
“The Johor Department of Environment (DOE) has 29 investigating officers in six teams who are on duty and the national DOE has also diverted additional help from other states.
“Currently, there are 40 investigators in 13 teams helping with investigations as at early Thursday morning (March 14),” she said.
Isnaraissah added that the DOE would continue taking water samples from at least three locations where chemicals were allegedly dumped illegally.
She also said that her ministry received help from the Army and Petronas, as they shared resources in the form of equipment, machinery and expertise to help the government handle the crisis.
This included a dispersal modeller that would be useful to understand the vaporisation and movement of gases, which would help the investigation teams plan their moves more effectively, she said.
“In my view, what is most important is cleaning up the river. It must be done fast, but in a safe manner so we can dispose of the dangerous pollutants.
“We also need to ensure there are no new sources of pollution,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
Lotte Chemical Titan providing assistance over Pasir Gudang pollution
Bernama New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean chemical company Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd is providing its assistance and expertise to help ease the chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang.
Its president Lee Dong-woo said about 20 of its employees have been deployed to provide assistance.
“We are very sad over the chemical dumping incident in Johor. We have mobilised assistance to schools and homes in the affected area,” he told the media on the sidelines of the Malaysia-Korea Business Forum here.
He also said that as Lotte Chemical Titan has vast experience in chemical incidents, it is willing to help in the clean-up once the type of chemical that caused the pollution has been identified.
“Right now we have helped to clean up schools that have been affected by the chemical pollution. We also have deployed our ambulance and equipment to the affected area,” he said.
As of yesterday, all 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang area have been closed while 506 people have sought treatment, including 166 being hospitalised with nine in the intensive care unit. – Bernama
Prosecution postponed in Johor chemical waste dumping case
Bernama New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The prosecution today of the owner of an illegal tyre recycling factory who allegedly dumped chemical waste in a river in Pasir Gudang and triggered a health crisis has had to be postponed.
Over 20 reporters gathered at the court complex here as early as 7 am had to leave disappointed after being informed that charges will not be pressed today against the owner who allegedly discarded the waste into Sungai Kim Kim.
Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the Office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) has asked the Department of Environment (DoE) to obtain additional information on the matter.
“The prosecution cannot be done until there is further instruction from the Office of the DPP,” he said in a statement.
Energy, Science, Technology, Innovation, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said yesterday that the investigation papers had been submitted to the Office of the DPP.
The Education Ministry yesterday ordered the indefinite closure of all the 111 schools in Pasir Gudang after hundreds of people, many of them schoolchildren, landed in hospital over the past week due to the inhalation of the toxic fumes emanating from the chemical waste.
In a Facebook post last night, Dr Sahruddin urged all quarters not to politicise the pollution issue and to stop circulating fake news on the matter.
“Do not fish in troubled waters. Do not worsen the trying times we are facing in Pasir Gudang now,” he posted.
Dr Sahruddin, who is the state assemblyman for Bukit Kepong, recalled the time of the massive floods in Kelantan in 2014 and said everyone came together then as Malaysians to extend assistance and pray for the victims. -- BERNAMA
Postponed: Prosecution against suspect in chemical dumping case
mohd farhaan shah The Star 14 Mar 19;
PASIR GUDANG: There will be a delay in bringing charges against the owner of an illegal tyre recycling factory said to be responsible for dumping chemicals into Sungai Kim Kim and causing a health crisis in Pasir Gudang.
Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said investigation papers had already been sent to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office, but there was a request for more information to be added.
“The Department of Environment (DOE) has been told to add more information to complete the investigation papers.
“Prosecution has yet to be carried out until we receive further instructions from the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office,” he said in a statement here on Thursday (March 14).
Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the suspect, whose factory is in Kulai, would be charged under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
She said the owner faced a maximum imprisonment of five years and a fine of RM500,000 if found guilty.
Johor Sultan pledges RM1 million to address Pasir Gudang crisis
Bernama New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar pledges RM1 million to boost the authorities’ efforts to address the chemical pollution crisis in Pasir Gudang.
Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah said the contribution from Sultan Ibrahim would enable rescue agencies and authorities involved in operations to arm their respective teams with the necessary equipment.
“Tuanku Sultan was discussing this with me as Royal Adviser to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and he was deeply moved when he heard an audio recording of a crying man pleading for help for his child.
“With his personal contribution, Tuanku Sultan thinks it will help the authorities and rescue agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Malaysia Police to equip their teams to help the people,” she said in a statement issued by the Royal Press Office and uploaded onto the ruler’s official Facebook account today.
In his previous statement, Sultan Ibrahim expressed his unhappiness at irresponsible parties who dumped the chemical waste into Sungai Kim Kim that adversely affected students and members of the public.
He also wanted the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and to take firm action against those involved.
As of yesterday, 506 people have sought treatment including 166 being hospitalised while nine were placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following exposure to toxic fumes from chemical waste dumped into Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang last Thursday.
All 111 schools in Pasir Gudang have been ordered to close with immediate effect from yesterday until further notice. – BERNAMA
Chemical pollution: Sultan Ibrahim wants MB to set up special committee
Bernama New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar wants Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian to set up a special committee to identify several matters in tackling the issues of chemical pollution.
His Majesty said the committee would be required to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) which must be adhered to by all quarters to ensure that the chemical pollution incident in Pasir Gudang, will not recur.
Sultan Ibrahim said other matters that need to be given attention was the development of an early warning system for air or water pollution incidents.
“With the system in place, and should there be any incident of air or water pollution, the authorities will be able to give an early warning to the residents.
“At the same time, residents will also be able to make early preparations, while the emergency rescue team or the relevant agencies can be mobilised quickly,” the Sultan told the Royal Press Office (RPO) today.
The decree was posted on His Majesty’s Facebook page. The RPO is the official press office for the Johor Royal Family.
Earlier today, Sultan Ibrahim also visited the victims of the chemical pollution at the Sultan Ismail Hospital. – Bernama
Johor Ruler wants MB to form committee to handle chemical pollution
mohd farhaan shah The Star 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has instructed Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian to form a special committee to handle the chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang.
His Majesty decreed that the committee must come up with a standard operating procedure (SOP) that should be adhered to all.
He also wanted to ensure that such an incident did not happen in Johor again.
Sultan Ibrahim added that other things that should be prioritised was to develop an early warning system when pollution happens, either on sea or air.
“At the same time, residents can also prepare early, while authorities are able to move much faster,” His Majesty said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page here on Thursday (March 14).
Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim visited victims who were warded due to the toxic fumes at Sultan Ismail Hospital here.
His Majesty also made a personal donation of RM1mil.
“With that in mind, I want the special committee to be created immediately and give focus on the things that I have touched upon,” he said.
Mercy Malaysia calls on medical volunteers
The Star 15 Mar 19;
PETALING JAYA: Mercy Malaysia is calling for volunteers with medical expertise to help with the toxic dumping incident in Pasir Gudang.
The NGO sent out a request for doctors, nurses and pharmacists who could assist in the relief efforts there.
“There is an urgent need for medical care for the people affected,” the NGO said on its Facebook page yesterday.
It added that Mercy Malaysia’s response team had been on the ground since Wednesday.
Mercy Malaysia also gave safety and health tips for people in the vicinity.
It urged people to avoid entering the polluted area, to use only treated water, to shower right after returning home from the outdoors and to wash clothes that have been worn outdoors separately from other clothes.
Those with sore eyes, sore throats, chest pains and breathing difficulties were also advised to seek medical attention.
