TWO pollution incidents in Pasir Gudang, near Johor Baru, which took place within a three-month period earlier this year, did not just bring impact residents but also served as an eye-opener on the importance of taking care of the environment.

The chemical waste pollution in Sg Kim Kim in March, followed by an air pollution incident three months later, raised concerns not only among affected communities but also the relevant authorities on standard operating procedures (SOP) pertaining to environmental crisis management.

In the first incident on March 7, pupils and staff of SK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Pasir Putih began complaining of nausea and vomiting, believed to be due to the inhalation of gas emitted by chemical wastes.

Thirty-five people were hospitalised, three of whom were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), and two schools were forced to close for three days.

On March 11, just hours after the schools reopened, several pupils and staff of nearby schools again experienced the same symptoms. 

That same day, the Department of Environment (DoE) and police raided an illegal factory 500m from Sg Kim Kim, following the arrest of three men, including two factory owners, on suspicion of disposing chemical waste into the river.

The second wave of pollution lasted several days, and 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered to close from March 13.

Ninety-two kindergartens and nurseries in the affected area were also ordered to close.

By March 14, 2,775 residents had received treatment, with seven of them treated in ICUs, while 51 police reports were lodged on the chemical pollution case.

The authorities also identified 46 more potential sources of pollution in Pasir Gudang based on satellite data and aerial surveillance using drones while tackling the Sg Kim Kim incident.

The incident also sparked debate on the Environmental Quality Act 1974, with many saying the punishment for those found guilty of offences under the Act was not severe enough and did not take into account current developments.

Three months after the Sg Kim Kim incident, another episode of pollution occurred in Pasir Gudang, which also forced affected schools to close.

On June 20, several pupils and staff of schools in the district suffered the same symptoms experienced by the victims of the Sg Kim Kim incident.

However, the cause of the pollution is still unknown.

To prevent a recurrence of such incidents, the government had, on November 19, announced seven steps to improve environmental quality control.

They included taking stern action against environmental offenders, broadening surveillance, beefing up enforcement and setting up a Pasir Gudang branch of the DoE.

The trial of the Sg Kim Kim chemical dumping case involving four men, including two Singaporeans, began in the sessions court on December 3 before judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob. It will continue on March 10 next year. – Bernama, December 29, 2019.