The Star 7 Jul 19;
ISKANDAR PUTERI (Bernama): The Johor Environment Department (DOE) has received eight complaints over pollution at Sungai Kopok, Ulu Tiram since 2018.
State Local Government, Urban Well-being and Environment Committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said the complaints were on its foul smell and dark colour, and incidents of dead fishes in the river.
He said investigations were carried out following the complaints and it was found that the pollution was caused by the discharge of industrial effluents with high organic load, especially from palm oil-based operations such as oleochemicals, and soap-based operations, biodiesel as well as food-based manufacturing.
"Although the plants are equipped with effluent treatment facilities, there are a few that have been negligent in controlling discharge of effluents from their premises.
Tan said at this stage, investigations were on-going on all suspected sources of the effluent discharge and enforcement action would be taken against violations of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its regulations.
These would include issuing a stop order on the plant operations, or a directive, imposing compounds or taking court action, he said to a question from assemblyman S. Gopalakrishnan (PH-Tiram) who called for appropriate action against polluting of the river. - Bernama
Johor govt, MB among 11 to be named in suit over Sg Kim Kim pollution
Mohd Sabran Md Sani New Straits Times 7 Jul 19;
PASIR GUDANG: The state government and the Johor Menteri Besar are among 11 defendants expected to be named in a lawsuit to be filed by the Sungai Kim Kim Toxic Gas Victims and Pollution Action Committee at the Johor Baru High Court on July 17.
Counsel representing the victims, Kamarudin Ahmad, said other parties to be named in the suit included state health committee chairman, the Environment Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council.
Kamarudin said the suit would be filed on behalf of 160 people, including students, members of the public and fishermen who were affected by the pollution.
Among the compensation sought in the suit includes RM5 million in general damages for Irfan Wafi Idham Wazir, 12, who suffered myokymia after he was believed to have been exposed to the toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim.
“We have electromyography (EMG) and medical report prepared by a specialist who treated Irfan that showed he is suffering from myokymia. The medical specialist also believes the boy suffered from myokymia after he was exposed to toxic chemicals from the Sungai Kim Kim pollution.
“We are also seeking special damages between RM4,000 and RM5,000 for every plaintiff as well as general damages, the amount which would be determined by the court if necessary.
“We will file the suit against parties that have been identified to be responsible for the pollution including the state government, menteri besar, the Irrigation and Drainage Department and the factory,” he told a press conference here today.
Kamarudin said the 34 students affected by the pollution are from SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort and SMK Pasir Puteh.
“We believe there are at least 1,000 people who were victims of such pollution,” he said, adding that there was no law firm which prepared to file a lawsuit on behalf of the victims similar to his.
He said there were eight chemical compounds identified following the pollution in Sungai Kim Kim that included methane, hydrogen chloride, acrylonitrile, acrolein, ethylbenzene, and toluene.
