Militants not behind gas leak incident

Chemical cylinders illegally dumped, says Melaka CM

MELAKA: Illegal dumpers, not militants, were responsible for seven chemical cylinders being left at an abandoned house in Kampung Tambak Paya, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

He said a preliminary report has discounted sabotage or a deliberate act of contamination.

The cylinders, each weighing a tonne, were brought from another state and the house was either a transit point or the dump site, but one of the containers was leaking chlorine gas, he told pressmen after the state exco meeting yesterday.

Idris said a report on the Sept 28 chemical leak was tabled at the meeting and those present voiced their concerns.

He said the matter shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially with terrorist attacks rampant around the world.

“This time it was chlorine contamination but it could have been catastrophic if the substance was radioactive,” he said.

Idris said the state government wanted heads of resident associations and village chiefs to report any suspicious activities.

During the incident, 250 villagers were evacuated while 43 were rushed to the Melaka and Jasin hospitals after inhaling the gas.

Police believe the culprits had decided to dispose of the cylinders the easy way.

Such hazardous substances are supposed to be disposed of at a proper facility, such as the one in Jimah, Negri Sembilan.

Police have identified a company in Selangor which owns the chlorine from serial numbers etched on the cylinders, and have recorded statements from its staff.