BOTH Pakatan Harapan and opposition MPs have called for a state of emergency to be declared if the Sg Kim Kim toxic waste pollution worsens.

Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said the declaration will enable the federal government to channel more resources to the area.

“If the situation improves, it won’t be needed. But if things get out of hand and more critical, federal intervention is necessary, so that federal resources can be channelled to tackle the situation.

“The Johor government has set aside RM6.5 million to tackle the disaster, but more resources can be made available if the federal government steps in.

“We have to handle this in an orderly manner, so that the people won’t panic,” he said in Parliament today when debating the motion to declare an emergency.

The illegal dumping of chemicals into Pasir Gudang’s Sg Kim Kim last week has affected the health of hundreds of people, including students of schools situated along the river. To date, more than 900 have received treatment after inhaling toxic fumes.

Yesterday, the Education Ministry ordered all schools in Pasir Gudang closed indefinitely.

Hassan said if the disaster is not handled properly, it would become a “time bomb” as there are many chemical factories – both licensed and unlicensed – in the district.

“There are petrol chemical factories there and in Tebrau. So, the Disaster Management Committee needs to handle the situation well.

“We need federal intervention. Putrajaya cannot keep its hands off the issue.”

Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) said speed is crucial in addressing the crisis.

He said Putrajaya must mobilise its resources, regardless of the cost, and that compensation should be given to victims.

“I have spoken to the Johor menteri besar on this, and he agreed,” he said, adding that politics must be set aside in this case.

He called for stiffer penalties against the culprits to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

“If the fine is just RM500,000, I think the factories will choose to pay. The fine should be increased to RM1 million. The jail term should also be increased from five years to maybe 10 or 15.”

Steven Choong (PH-Tebrau) voiced support for an emergency to be declared, and said Johor is ready for it.

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian), too, backed the emergency declaration.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said declaring an emergency might cause panic among the public.

She said the government will make a decision after holding a meeting on the matter. – March 14, 2019.