THE Johor government is scouting for a new industrial area in which to relocate factories in Pasir Gudang, Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal said today.

This is among the long-term measures to address pollution issues in the area.

“We will have to the see the results of the study and then we will take the appropriate action,” he said, after a town hall meeting today with residents at the Pasir Gudang stadium. .  

“If there are factories that need to be relocated, then we will do that.”

Sharuddin admitted the Pasir Gudang industrial area was saturated with factories. 

“The district land office will look for a suitable place outside Pasir Gudang for this new industrial area.”

Last week, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said a survey to move high-risk factories away from Pasir Gudang would be completed this month. 

She said the ministry would assist the state government with its findings but that it would be up to the state government to decide on the relocation.

The Johor Department of Environment has inspected 266 factories in Pasir Gudang.

Johor DoE director Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar said 166 compounds were issued for offences related to the disposal of scheduled wastes, industrial effluents and sewage.

Eighteen illegal factories were shut down.

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

It is the second incident of toxic pollution in Pasir Gudang, after more than 1,000 people were hospitalised in March due to chemical poisoning from waste dumped into Sg Kim Kim. – August 4, 2019.