JOHOR BARU: One suspect in the illegal chemical dumping activities in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang here last Thursday is expected to be charged tomorrow.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the Department of Environment (DoE) had completed the investigation paper on the case and submitted it to the Public Prosecutor's office today.
"The suspect, one of the three arrested earlier this week, is the owner of a tyre recycling plant in Kulai. He will be charged under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act," said Yeo.
She said the suspect would face more charges under the Penal Code or other laws.
"I have spoken with the Attorney General Tommy Thomas about this. We will charge the suspect with one charge first and when we have gathered more evidence, we could charge him under other Acts," Yeo said at a Press conference after attending a briefing on the issue by Johor DoE.
Also present was Johor DoE director Datuk Dr Muhammad Ezzani Mat Salleh.
Yeo said the department did not discount the possibility that more suspects would be arrested in the case.
"DoE will continue to investigate. We have identified eight chemical compounds in the samples taken from the substances dumped in the river.
"We will use this (evidence) to cross check with the 252 factories in the area to find out if they match with any of the substances," said Yeo.
The chemical compounds that have been identified are methane, hydrogen chloride, acrylonitrile, acrolein, benzene, toulene, xylene and limonene.
Yeo said DoE would also install air quality meters to ascertain air quality levels in the area.
"The meters will be installed at different altitudes so that we can accurately measure the air quality."
She said the ministry's main concern now was to complete the cleaning process at the site as soon as possible.
"We have already appointed a contractor for the cleaning works," said Yeo.
When asked how long the process would take, Yeo said she would have more details following a state disaster management committee meeting later this afternoon.