THERE is no need to evacuate the areas affected by the toxic pollution in Sg Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang as the situation is under control, said Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian.

He said the situation was not alarming at this point and that only certain areas have been affected.

“Housing areas are not affected. Only schools have been affected because of the open space,” he said in a joint press conference with Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin in Pasir Gudang.

So far, the toxic pollution has seen nine patients being admitted into intensive care units with 166 others warded for treatment. A total of 506 cases, including a Health Ministry official, have been reported thus far.

The government has also ordered the closure of 42 schools following the incident.

However, Osman said not everyone in the schools were affected by the toxic pollution.

“Not all the schools were affected. Only a few students have been affected,” said the menteri besar.

He said this could be due to pre-existing conditions in the students, such as asthma or weaker immune systems.

He said the state government was also setting up a disaster management centre which will be in operation for 24 hours.

The centre will be managed by a multi-agency task force comprising the police, Fire and Rescue Department, the health minister, and Environment Department officials, who will be monitoring and keeping the situation under control from time to time.

Osman said the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has instructed for immediate action to be taken on the culprits.

A special task force has been set up to carry out investigations.

He said the army, Petronas, and Occupational Safety and Health Department will be called to measure the radiation levels in the areas and furnish the authorities with a report on the situation.

Yeo said Petronas, the army, and the meteorological department have been called on to provide the necessary equipment to take readings at the sites and measure the direction of wind.

“The chemicals are filled with volatile organic compounds which react to temperature and air movement,” she said.

She said the chemical compounds that have been identified include methane, hydrogen chloride, acrylonitrile, acrolein, benzene, toluene, xylene, and limonene. – March 13, 2019.