Malaysia: 70 police reports filed in Sungai Kim Kim pollution case

The Star 7 Apr 19;

PASIR GUDANG: A total of 70 police reports have been filed by the affected families of the Sungai Kim Kim hazardous gas pollution.

Lawyer Kamarudin Ahmad said the reports were made against the state government, Department of Environment, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and the factory involved.

He said the reports were for the victims to claim for damages due to the negligence of the government and parties involved.

“This is the second time we have gathered victims of Sungai Kim Kim and given them a briefing on what are their rights in the cases and what they can do,” he said at IPD Seri Alam here.

Kamarudin added that this was the most appropriate action to take in order to protect the interests of the victims.

“Some of the victims suffered chest pain, nausea, breathing difficulties and even fainted, and received treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“We are still waiting for other victims’ medical reports before we proceed to file claims for damages from the responsible parties by early June,” he said.

Kamarudin is expecting more victims to file police reports.

Seri Alam OCPD Supt Ismail Dollah confirmed receiving the police reports.

It was recently reported that thousands of people had to be treated at hospitals following the Sungai Kim Kim incident which happened early last month.

Three people, including two used tyre processing company directors, a lorry driver and the factory have been charged at the Sessions Court here for polluting Sungai Kim Kim.

Residents to sue over Sungai Kim Kim incident
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 6 Apr 19;

JOHOR BARU: A group of Pasir Gudang residents affected by the Sungai Kim Kim chemical dumping incident will file a civil suit against the authorities and factories involved.

The group is claiming negligence and will name the Johor state government, the Department of Environment, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and the factories involved as defendants.

Counsel Kamarudin Ahmad, who is representing the group, said they were claiming damages as the incident had caused them to suffer health issues.

"Due to the incident, the residents suffered from symptoms like breathing difficulties and vomiting. One family claimed that their child suffered nerve damage and could not walk.

"We are also worried about the long term effect of the incident on the residents," said Kamarudin.

He was speaking to the media after accompanying several residents to lodge police reports on the matter at the Seri Alam district police headquarters in Pasir Gudang here.

Kamarudin said at the moment there about 120 residents in the group.

"We plan to file the suit in early June. By that time, I expect the number to increase because currently many affected residents do not know their rights or where to turn to for assistance.

"We are still gathering information on the case, including the health report of the affected residents," said Kamarudin, adding that he was told that there was another group of residents who were planning to file a similar legal action.

The dumping of the chemical substances on March 7 caused 5,848 people to seek medical treatment after inhaling toxic fumes wafting from the river.

The last victim was released from hospital on March 25.

A used tyre processing factory and two of its directors were charged at the Sessions Court with 15 offences under two environmental regulations.