FED up with the lack of answers and guarantees by the state government on the chemical pollution issue in Pasir Gudang, parents and civil society groups are demanding for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to get to the bottom of the issue.

Schools are expected to reopen on Sunday but many parents are having second thoughts about sending their children back, not until the authorities find out the cause of the toxic fumes.

On Monday, the state government had instructed all schools to close until yesterday after more than 300 students were treated for respiratory problems.

Despite carrying out several blood tests on the victims, the government and the Chemistry Department have yet to ascertain the type of chemical involved.

They also said that it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of pollution as there are more than 150 chemical factories in Pasir Gudang.

SMK Pasir Putih Parents Teachers Association chairman Ahmad Yusoff Suparman said that it is crucial that an RCI be conducted to address the worries of the people.

“We want the RCI, but they should start with Sg Kim Kim and then go on to all industrial areas in Pasir Gudang.

“We want answers to what is happening here as the authorities are not forthcoming,” the 52-year-old Ahmad Yusoff told the Malaysian Insight.

In this latest pollution episode, 58 students were warded at the Sultan Sultan Ismail Hospital for two days.

“How are we to say it’s safe for the students to return (on Sunday). When we say it’s ok (for them) then we get hit again.

“The authorities here have given us very little information on what’s happening. We will have to wait for their announcement if it’s safe,” he said.

Environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) also urged Putrajaya to set up the RCI as there have been two serious incidents in less than four months.

SAM president Meenakshi Raman said given the gravity and seriousness of the incidents, an RCI is vital to ensure that all those responsible for the human and environmental damage caused are taken to task.

“The RCI must identify the root causes of the chemical pollution and ascertain the culprits responsible.

“It must also determine the culpability or negligence of the various authorities who have allowed this problem to go on.

“The RCI should look into the adequacy of current laws as well as the capabilities and capacity of our enforcement authorities and make recommendations that will help safeguard public welfare, health and safety in the future,” she said.

Parent Rafea Abdullah, 43, said he will support the RCI as they want answers to what is really happening here.

“How can we get hit three times?

“We were hit by two waves in Sg Kim Kim and now from the industrial area.

“There has be answers as to why this is happening again,” he said.

The restaurant operator said he is reluctant to send his two teenage children and his youngest child who is in Standard One to school on Sunday.

“We want concrete assurances from the state government that they have the situation under control, and that there is no danger, before we send our children to school.

“We want to know the cause of the pollution and we want the Department of Environment to provide us details of the air quality index in Pasir Gudang.

“Only then we will decide if we want to send our children back to school. We are still not confident yet,” Rafea said.

Another parent, C. Thiruchelvam, hoped they will get some answers to all the issues that have been plaguing the families.

“We will have to wait and see what happens first. This issue needs to be addressed,” he said.

The factory worker also said that he will not send his three primary school children, ages 10 to 12, to school on Sunday.

“My children are still not feeling well. They are vomitting and still have headaches.

“I will go on Sunday and check out the situation at the Tamil school first.

“If all is ok then, I will send them on Monday. I don’t want to take the risk,” he said. – June 28, 2019.