2 MORE RIVER DUMP SITES IN PASIR GUDANG
Barrels found in Sg Masai and Sg Sembilang
TWO more rivers in Pasir Gudang have been found to have been used as dump sites for chemical waste. In the first case, 10 barrels, believed to be containing chemical substances, were found in Sungai Masai, located next to the Pasir Gudang Highway.
The discovery was made by residents of nearby housing estates on Sunday after the authorities came to the location to start the clean-up.
Pasir Gudang MCA chief Tan Tuan Peng said the residents had questioned why they were not informed of the existence of another source of pollution that could contribute to the crisis.
“The public have the right to know. The authorities should not cover up these things.”
Another dump site was found in Sungai Sembilang near Taman Tanjung Puteri Resort.
Seven barrels were found in the river, which is 500m from SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort.
The barrels were found in a drain and under a bridge connecting Taman Tanjung Puteri and Taman Pasir Putih.
Resident Ahmad Roh Ariffin, 51, said the barrels were found on Thursday, but no action had been taken after the authorities were informed of the discovery.
“Liquid from the barrels flowed into the river and there is a bad stench.
“Some residents have complained of breathing difficulties and nausea.”
A check at the site showed that the authorities had cordoned off the area.
Efforts to get comments from the authorities proved unsuccessful, and a press conference by Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin was cancelled.