TAMAN Pasir Putih residents in Pasir Gudang want authorities to investigate how the RM6.4 million that was allocated to clean the first toxic flare up in the district’s Sungai Kim Kim in March was used.

They are asking questions about the allocation now as they said they have yet to receive any aid from the state government.

Taman Pasir Putih pro tem committee deputy chairman Rafee Abdullah said 110 victims who were affected by the toxic waste are still waiting for assistance from the state government. 

“We want to know if the funds were used effectively and what compensation the victims are going to get. 

“We also want the authorities to investigate if there are any elements of corruption and wrongdoing that had caused the pollution,” Rafee said after lodging a police report at the Seri Alam district police headquarters in Johor Baru today.  

He said if authorities fail to address the issue, residents plan to go to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya for answers. 

In March, then menteri besar Osman Sapian said the Johor government will allocate RM6.4 million to tackle the Sungai Kim Kim chemical waste disaster.

He said the funds will be used to clean up the polluted river and aid residents. 

During the crisis in March, 6,000 people were exposed to chemical waste that had been dumped into Sungai Kim Kim. 

The problem appeared to resurface last month, when more than 700 people, mostly students, were treated for respiratory problems believed to be caused by waste discharged by chemical factories in the area.

Rafee said that there should be transparency in how the funds were used to allay any speculation of abuse.

“Since the first and second wave, the authorities have yet to assist the families. We hope that they will take action soon.” – July 14, 2019.