Johor DoE issues stop-work order to chemical plant
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Department of Environment (DoE) has issued a stop-work order to a chemical plant in Pasir Gudang here, which is the source of a chemical stench that enveloped parts of northeastern Singapore on Monday.
Its director, Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh, said the order was issued after the plant had a fire at one of its facilities earlier last month.
“The order will be in effect until the plant completes the necessary remedial actions.
“We will make sure the plant complies with the order before allowing it to resume operations,” he said.
It was reported on Friday that Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) traced the source of a chemical stench in the northeastern part of the republic on Monday to an industrial facility in Pasir Gudang.
The agency reported that it contacted DoE for assistance after the smell was detected by residents on Monday.
“The DoE has traced the source and is taking action against the operator,” NEA said.
On Monday, residents in Sengkang and Punggol, Singapore, complained of an acrid, chemical stench that was later detected in
areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Yishun, Seletar and Bishan. Thick smoke also hung over some of the affected areas.