JOHOR BARU: The Johor Department of Environment (DOE) have lifted a stop work order on a chemical plant in Pasir Gudang which was found to be the cause of the chemical stench tainting the air over Singapore last month.
Its director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said the order was lifted last Thursday and the plant is currently operating as usual.
"We have inspected and are satisfied the remedial works that was done. The plant has begun operating as usual since last Thursday," said Ezanni.
The stop work order was issued after the plant suffered a fire at one of its facilities early last month. DOE then identified the plant as the source of a chemical stench that enveloped parts of northern Singapore.
Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) had earlier traced the source of the chemical stench that cloaked the island on Sept 25 to an industrial facility in Pasir Gudang.
The agency was reported as saying that it had contacted the DOE to seek its assistance after the smell was detected.
"The DOE has deployed resources in identifying the source of the smell. It has traced the source to an industrial facility in Pasir Gudang and is taking action against the operator," NEA said.
Residents in Sengkang and Punggol complained about 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, Singapore residents said.