Johor to identify high-risk Pasir Gudang factories by month end

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 4 years ago · Published on 15 Jul 2019 7:00AM · 0 Comments

Orang Asli Seletar children playing in a kampung in Kuala Masai, Pasir Gudang, last month. The state government is going after illegal factories in the area after the second incident of toxic pollution. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, July 15, 2019.

JOHOR has given itself until the end of the month to identify all high-risk factories in Pasir Gudang following which they will be relocated, said the state Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar. 

He told The Malaysian Insight the relevant agencies are currently compiling data on the factories.

“We would be able to identify all the factories by month end or the latest by early next month.

“As for the relocation plans, we aim to do it as soon as possible.”

Johor Menteri Besar Sahruddin Jamal said the state is studying the possibility of relocating high-risk chemical factories and creating a buffer zone between the industrial and residential areas.

The state government is serious about addressing the pollution problem in Pasir Gudang and will also set up two committees to monitor the situation in the area, Sahruddin said.

Khuzzan said it’s not an easy task to relocate the factories as they come from different industries.

Johor Menteri Besar Sahruddin Jamal says the state will relocate high-risk chemical factories in Pasir Gudang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, July 15, 2019.

“It is difficult to relocate without any proper management. We have to look into what type of industries and in which area (they are operating in).”

Khuzzan added that the decision on the relocation will be done by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) and the state government.

“Once they have the information, they will discuss which factories are involved and where they will be relocated.”

As of last Friday, the Johor Department of Environment and the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council have inspected 255 factories.

They issued 125 compounds for offences related to the disposal of scheduled wastes, industrial effluents and sewage.

As a long-term measure, the state government will set up two committees to monitor the pollution situation in the area.

One of the committees will track the impact on Pasir Gudang and the other committee represented by elected representatives, civil society groups, parent-teacher associations and the Pasir Gudang Emergency Mutual Aid (Pagema) will provide the latest status on pollution in the area. – July 15, 2019.

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