LIFE returned to normal in Pasir Gudang, Johor, today as the schools reopened after a public health crisis triggered by toxic waste dumping in Sungai Kim Kim.

Clutching M35 protective masks, the students in SMK Pasir Putih attend assembly outdoors, where they are told to minimise their outdoor activities and to always keep their mask on when not indoors.

Norazimah Ishak, 43, hopes there will not be any more untoward incidents for the family. 

“My 14-year-old daughter was in the intensive care unit for six days when the crisis hit.  I’m still worried about her health but she needs to go to school,” she told The Malaysian Insight. 

The illegal dumping of chemicals into the river two weeks ago caused more than 5,000 people, mostly schoolchildren, to fall sick and seek treatment.

The Environment Department said 20 tonnes of chemical waste could have been dumped into the river.

Pasir Gudang’s 111 schools were ordered to close during the crisis which came to light on March 7 when schoolchildren starting falling ill. 

Zalita Abu Hassan, 48, said she was concerned about the safety of her 13-year-old daughter.  

“I’m still scared but my daughter must attend classes because she has exams,” she said.

“I told her to be careful and to immediately inform the teacher if she feels sick.”

Jhazan Ahmad, 52 said the situation in Sg Kim Kim has improved and that he had no qualms sending his 13-year-old daughter to school. 

“My daughter was not as severely affected as some of the other students, but we are still cautious.

“We just hope that things will return to normal,” he said.

Yesterday, parents and teachers worked together to clean four schools near the river to prepare for classes resuming today.

They said they wanted to ensure that the children, many of them having endured the effects of chemical poisoning, start the new school term in a clean and safe environment. – March 31, 2019.