THE survey to relocate of high-risk factories in Pasir Gudang, Johor, will be completed next month, said Yeo Bee Yin.

The results will be out in five weeks, said the energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister. 

“We will send our findings and analysis to the Johor government. We will also give our suggestions on the relocation and other action to be taken. 

“It is up to them to decide on the relocation,” she said after launching the Low Carbon Cities 2030 event in Bandar Baru Bangi today. 

The Johor Department of Environment (DoE) in a statement said gas readings at 14 Pasir Gudang schools taken from July 18 to 21 showed normal levels. 

The DoE has recorded gas readings at 138 locations in the district, including schools and industrial areas.

Last month, more than 700 people, mostly pupils, were treated for respiratory problems believed to be caused by waste discharged by chemical factories in the area.

This is the second incident of toxic pollution in Pasir Gudang. The first incident happened in March when more than 1,000 people were treated in hospitals and all schools in the district closed for days.

Experts from the chemistry, soil and environment departments are conducting the survey, Yeo said.

“For the time being, we will continue to monitor the area. To date, we have deployed 170 officers from various departments to check on the situation.”

The ministry also sent out gas detectors for the monitoring of air quality at all the locations and even outside the Pasir Gudang area.

“We have checked what is the reading outside Pasir Gudang, in schools and other places. It is the same.

“So what I want to say is that we have, on our part, checked all of the chemical-based factories.”

Yeo said there are more than 2,000 factories in Pasir Gudang, out of which 257 are chemical factories.

“We have checked all the factories and shut down 12, while legal action will be taken on another three.” – July 23, 2019.