THREE men, including two factory owners, have been arrested on suspicion of dumping chemical waste into Sg Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang on Thursday.

One of the suspects is the owner of a chemical-processing plant, and another owns a used goods-processing factory. Both are in their 50s.

The third suspect is a worker in his 40s.

Johor Environment Department director Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh said the first suspect was arrested yesterday evening, and the other two at 12.30pm today.

“We’ve handed them over to police for investigation under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” he told the press outside the used goods-processing factory, located 500m from where the chemicals were dumped.

Present was state Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal.

Ezzani said the owner of the chemical-processing plant was arrested based on the department’s analysis of the dumped chemicals, while the other factory owner had chemicals similar to those discarded into the river.

He said the Kulai-registered plant was previously sealed for causing pollution, and the authorities are in the midst of determining the status of the used goods-processing factory.

“Both factories are now sealed… will open investigation papers for prosecution in court. If possible, within this week… but it depends on the police investigation and the deputy public prosecutor.”

Sixty-one people, including 57 students, were admitted to the emergency unit of Sultan Ismail Hospital today after experiencing breathing difficulties, nausea and vomiting at two Pasir Gudang schools that have been ordered close a second time.

SK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Pasir Putih, located near Sg Kim Kim, were first ordered closed on Thursday, and reopened briefly today.

The 57 students and four adults, one of whom is a teacher, were taken to hospital after feeling ill, believed to be due to inhaling fumes from the chemicals in the river.

Dr Sahruddin, in a statement, said nine people are in the red zone, 25 in the yellow zone and 27 in the green zone. – Bernama, March 11, 2019.