‘More needs to be done to ensure Pasir Gudang folks’ safety’

People want more measures from the Department of Environment (DoE) and government agencies to ensure their safety following the second case of toxic pollution in Pasir Gudang, Johor.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this was important to prevent incidents that affected people’s health.

“What we need is proactive and not reactive actions to prevent a recurrence of the incident, which many have dubbed as the ‘Second Sungai Kim Kim pollution’ case.

“The authorities must take action against those responsible for polluting the environment and threatening public health,” he said yesterday.

He urged the authorities to collaborate and leave no stone unturned to determine the source of the pollution that forced the closure of schools in Pasir Gudang.

“They must ensure that the Pasir Gudang community, including its schools and residential areas, is safe. They must ensure that industries in the vicinity will not remain a threat to the environment.”

Lee said NIOSH was ready to provide assistance like it did in the Sungai Kim Kim incident in March.

“The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s office in Johor Baru is willing to provide assistance with the help of our headquarters in Bandar Baru Bangi, which has the facilities and expertise to monitor chemical pollution.”

The latest incident forced the Education Ministry to close 475 institutions of learning in Pasir Gudang until today to enable the authorities to address the source of the pollution.