THE government must take stern action against those responsible for dumping toxic waste in Sg Kim Kim, Pasir Gudang, and in the long run relook at the types of industries allowed to operate in the area, said the Sultan of Johor.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in his birthday message, said there was also an urgent need for a government hospital in Pasir Gudang.

He added that he was disappointed with the acts of irresponsible parties in dumping the chemical waste in Sg Kim Kim.

“This act has not only polluted the river and environment but also endangered the lives and health of the people in the area.

“Strong action must be taken against the culprits,” he said.

The sultan had earlier cancelled two birthday events as a result of the Pasir Gudang waste pollution incident.

He had cancelled a royal tea reception and a state banquet scheduled for next week as he was saddened by seeing his people suffering from Pasir Gudang’s waste pollution.

In his speech, the sultan also urged the government to monitor factories dealing with chemical substance and take action against factories that pollute the area.

He said any factory that flouts the law must be ordered to be shut down immediately.

In the long run, the sultan said he wanted the government to study all the industries operating out of Pasir Gudang and either relocate or shut down those involved in chemical and toxic substances.

He urged everyone to learn from the Bhopal poison gas incident in Indian in 1984 which had killed more than 3,000 people and affected more than 500,000 others.

The sultan also thanked the government agencies for reacting quickly to sort out the Sg Kim Kim pollution.

However, he said the incident also showed that the people in Pasir Gudang were in urgent need of a government hospital.

“I heard the government is already discussing this matter. I hope a new hospital can be constructed soon,” he said.

Eight people are in police custody for allegedly being involved in Pasir Gudang’s chemical waste incident.

On March 17, two men were arrested in Johor, while seven others were detained outside the state related to the dumping of chemical wastes into the river.

The eight suspects, aged between 27 and 41 years, were remanded from March 18. Police said they wanted to extend their remand period today.

The pollution affected more than 1,000 people, of which 12 were treated in the intensive care unit. A total of 111 schools were also ordered to close due to the pollution.

On March 19, the government declared the areas as safe. – March 23, 2019.