JAMALUDDIN Abdul Malik thought the worst was over more than three months ago after his children were hospitalised and survived the toxic pollution in Sg Kim Kim, Pasir Gudang, Johor.

But that relief didn’t last too long as his 13-year-old daughter is back in hospital again for respiratory problems after inhaling toxic fumes again.

This second episode of toxic pollution began in Taman Mawar, some 7.5km away from Sg Kim Kim. The pollution has now spread and residents of Sg Kim Kim and surrounding neighbourhoods are now in danger of being hit by the fumes.

“I’m angry and disappointed with the state government for failing to address this issue.

“Is this place safe or not? Is my family safe living here in Pasir Gudang?” the businessman told The Malaysian Insight.

Jamaluddin is one of the many parents in Sg Kim Kim who went through the ordeal of the toxic pollution for the second time.

In the first incident in March, his four children – a baby, two in primary school and a teenager – were warded from one to four days at Sultan Ismail Hospital.

“This time, only my daughter was warded but I’m still worried about the rest of my children.

“How long is this going to go on. Please tell us.”

In March, more than 5,000 people were treated for exposure to toxic fumes. A total of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered closed after schoolchildren started falling ill.

All schools in Pasir Gudang were again ordered to close until tomorrow. This was after more than 300 schoolchildren had to seek treatment for breathing difficulties and vomiting.

The state authorities, meanwhile, are checking more than 30 factories in the area. They believe some of these factories could be responsible for emitting toxic fumes.

The checks are being conducted in a 15km radius from Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar, which was the first area whose pupils were hit by the toxic fumes.

Jamaluddin said the parents are not asking for much but only for the state government to look after the welfare of their children.

“We hope that they can provide medical check-up for our children every six months. Since the Sg Kim Kim incident, we haven’t gotten anything.”

Azalila A. Samad, 45, said both her eight-year-old and 11-year-old children were warded for three days after vomiting and having headaches during the Sg Kim Kim incident.

“We are still traumatised by the incident. After this latest incident, I immediately took my children out of school. They have started to vomit and are complaining of headaches. Obviously, we are worried.

“I also fell sick and the doctor said there is toxin in my blood. We are still experiencing the effects from three months ago,” said Azalila, a housewife from Taman Pasir Putih.

Azalila said she will be taking her children in the next few days to a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur for treatment.

“It’s not that we don’t trust Sultan Ismail Hospital but it is always packed with people.

“We are hoping that we can get more information in KL on our symptoms.”

Saloma Hassan, 39, is hoping the state government will solve the issue once and for all.

Her two teenagers were warded for three days during the Sg Kim Kim incident.

“The minute we heard about the incident at Taman Mawar, I immediately took my children out of school.

“But it was too late, they are also affected by the toxic pollution.

“We are disappointed with the state government. Haven’t they learnt from the first incident?”

Saloma said the industrial area in Pasir Gudang must be relocated.

“This is a housing area. We can only be safe if the factories are relocated,” she said.

Another parent, C. Thiruchelvam, 38 said his 10-year-old and 12-year-old children were warded during the first incident.

“We never expected to get hit again. They said Sg Kim Kim was cleaned but now it is the factories.

“Pasir Gudang is filled with factories and when it rains, it gets worse with the fumes emitting from their premises.

“We do expect some form of compensation for our children, it’s not about the money but their welfare and health,” he said. – June 26, 2019.