THE Johor Department of Environment has checked 39 factories in Pasir Gudang for toxic waste pollution and issued 37 compounds to the offenders.

State DOE director Wan Abdul Latiff told The Malaysian Insight that efforts will continue to ensure the factories comply with regulations.

“We have conducted operations over the past two days and we are going to check more potential factories around the Pasir Gudang area,” he said.

“Since last week our enforcement team has been on standby to check on the factories.”

He said the DOE has also ordered three factories in Pasir Gudang to stop operations until their premises are pollution free.

Pasir Gudang is experiencing another outbreak of toxic waste poisoning, this time in Taman Mawar, which is about 7.5km distant from Sg Kim Kim, where toxic waste dumping caused a public health crisis in March.

All schools in Pasir Gudang have been ordered to close until Thursday. More than 300 schoolchildren so far have sought treatment for breathing difficulties and vomiting.

Wan Abdul said the DOE is working to identify the source of the current pollution within a 16km radius of Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar where the first incident of toxic fumes inhalation was reported.

“We are planning to expand our enforcement radius to more areas.”

Wan Abdul said the initial plan was to check 30 factories, but there could be more that needs to be inspected.

“Our officers are on the ground and we will be requesting more assistance from the DOE in other states to help us conduct the checks.” 

Wan Abdul said DoE experts are currently analysing the data gathered in the operations.

“The technical and scientific committee are carrying out the analysis based on checks of the air quality.

“We will be drawing a conclusion soon as to the cause (of the pollution).” – June 25, 2019.