Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 25 Jun 19;
JOHOR BARU: The state government has set up a committee to conduct continuous monitoring on activities of industries in Pasir Gudang to ensure incidents such as air pollution do not recur.
State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said, among others, the committee would look into the feasibility of creating a buffer zone between residential and industrial zones in Pasir Gudang.
“The committee has been set up and is currently coordinating measures to resolve the pollution incidents there. We will finalise the details once the incidents have been resolved," he said.
“The primary aim of the committee is to ensure safety of residents near the industrial areas.”
Khuzzan was speaking to the media after attending an event to celebrate state-sponsored Haj pilgrims. Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal and state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
On measures that have been taken to resolve the air pollution problem, Khuzzan said the authorities were currently in the process of removing chemical substances that had been identified as the source of the pollution from factories.
"Also, as of noon today, we have not received any new cases of people falling sick from the pollution. With the cooperation of all agencies, we are confident this will be resolved in the next few days," said Khuzzan.
Yesterday, the state Education Department ordered all education institutions in Pasir Gudang to close until June 27. This involves 111 primary and secondary schools, three institutions of higher education and 14 private and international schools, as well as 347 private kindergartens registered with the department.
Meanwhile, Khuzzan refuted claims by certain quarters that state government agencies were slow and inefficient in handling the incidents.
"From the first day the incident was reported at 3.39pm, various agencies like the Fire and Rescue Department, the Department of Environment, the Health Department, the Chemistry Department and the District Office have taken appropriate actions to handle the matter.
"There is not one agency that did not play its role effectively. These claims are baseless," he added.
Cops set up roadblocks at Pasir Gudang exit points to curb toxic waste smuggling
mohd farhaan shah and venesa devi The Star 25 Jun 19;
PASIR GUDANG: The police have set up roadblocks at the Pasir Gudang exit points to stop any attempts to bring out toxic waste from the district.
Johor Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said the police have been instructed to set up the roadblocks following the second air pollution incident.
“Two roadblocks have been set up since June 24, and police will be manning the locations for 24 hours.
“This is a precautionary measure to make sure that no one will be smuggling toxic waste out of Pasir Gudang during our investigations,” he added.
Schools in Pasir Gudang to close until Thursday
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 25 Jun 19;
JOHOR BARU: All education institutions under the Education Ministry in Pasir Gudang will be closed from tomorrow until Thursday.
State Education Department director Azman Adnan said this was to enable authorities to carry out measures to solve the problem.
"This includes 111 primary and secondary schools, three institutions of higher education and 14 private and international schools as well as 347 private kindergartens registered with the department," he said in a statement last night.
He said the department would continue to monitor and help the schools to ensure that the wellbeing of students were well taken care of.
Today, another 75 people, mostly students, were referred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for treatment due to the toxic fumes with four being warded but in stable condition.
