34 schools shut as Sg Kim Kim chemical disaster worsens

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 13 Mar 2019 4:26PM · 0 Comments

The education minister says the Sg Kim Kim chemical disaster is becoming critical, after more students were sent to hospital due to breathing difficulties. – The Malaysian Insight pic, March 13, 2019.

THIRTY-FOUR schools have been ordered shut following a chemical waste dump in Pasir Gudang’s Sg Kim Kim, as more students are sent to hospital after inhaling toxic fumes.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who was in the area yesterday, said he spent half the day visiting victims at Sultan Ismail Hospital and the disaster operations room in Taman Pasir Putih.

“There, I witnessed more than 50 students being sent by ambulance, non-stop, from schools in the area (to hospital) as they were having breathing difficulties.

“I have ordered that all schools within a 3km radius be closed immediately. This includes the 11 schools that were shut earlier,” he said in a statement today.

“I was informed today that the situation is becoming critical. To prevent any untoward incident, I have ordered the closure of 34 schools around Pasir Gudang, effectively immediately.

“Teachers do no need to be on duty because the situation is still dangerous.”

Maszlee said the Education Ministry has been working closely with the Health Ministry and the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry to ensure the safety of students, teachers and school staff since the illegal dumping was discovered on March 7.

Hazmat personnel collecting samples from Sg Kim Kim yesterday. – The Malaysian Insight pic, March 13, 2019.

The 34 schools closed as of today are:

1. SK Taman Pasir Putih

2. SMK Taman Pasir Putih

3. SK Pasir Putih

4. SK Tanjung Puteri Resort

5. SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort

6. SK Kota Masai 2

7. SMK Kota Masai 2

8. SK Kota Masai 3

9. SMK Kota Masai

10. SK Kota Amsai

11. SK Perigi Acheh

12. Sekolah Agama Kg Pasir Putih

13. Sekolah Agama Taman Pasir Putih

14. SK Scientex

15. SK Taman Mawar

16. SMK Nusa Damai

17. SMK Taman Rinting 1

18. SMK Taman Cendana

19. Sekolah Seni Malaysia

20. SM Scientex

21. SK Taman Bukit Dahlia

22. SK Taman Pasir Gudang 4

23. SK Nusa Damai

24. SK Kopok

25. SK Cahaya Masai

26. SK Taman Cendana

27. SK Taman Rinting 2

28. SK Taman Rinting 3

29. SMK Pasir Gudang 2

30. SM Dato’ Penggawa Timur

31. SMK Pasir Gudang 3

32. SK Masai

33. SJKT Pasir Gudang

34. SMK Pasir Gudang 4 – March 13, 2019.

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