PASIR Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has challenged the government to shut down chemical factories that have caused the toxic fumes pollution in his constituency.

“Now I challenge them to shut down the factories. Recently, there had been one or two that were closed,” the backbencher told reporters in the Parliament lobby.

Hassan said there are provisions under the Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation 2014 which allow the government to take action against errant companies.

“People (come) before profit,” said Hassan who is a lawyer by profession.

Meanwhile, on whether his critical comments would go down well with the ruling coalition given his position as an MP on the government bench, Hassan said his priority was the people’s wellbeing.

“I represent the people. I don’t care. If you follow my statements… it did not go well with the minister and the exco,” he said.

“Previously I called for curfew. The government didn’t like it because an MP from the government bench is challenging the government.”

Meanwhile, Hassan said the government could consider awarding an ex-gratia payment to the victims including to Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir.

Irfan had been diagnosed with myokymia, which was allegedly caused by exposure to pollutants from Sg Kim Kim.

The 12-year-old’s mobility had been affected ever since.

His plight came to light after his 49-year-old father recently gate-crashed a town hall session between Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin and industry players in Pasir Gudang  to vent his frustration. – July 4, 2019.