GEORGE TOWN: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has called for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the recent spates of chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang, Johor, which caused more than 100 students from over 30 schools to fall ill.
SAM president R. Meenakshi said given the gravity and seriousness of the incident, an RCI was vital to ensure that all those responsible for the human and environmental damage are taken to task.
“The enquiry should also include the pollution in Sungai Kim Kim, although the authorities have charged some companies responsible for waste dumping activities.
“This is to enable comprehensive investigations to identify the root causes of the chemical pollution, including in ascertaining the culprits responsible for the damage caused, as well as in determining the culpability or negligence of the various authorities who have allowed the pollution to occur,” she added.
In addition, Meenakshi said, such an RCI should also look into the adequacy of current laws as well as the capabilities and capacities of enforcement authorities.
“This is to enable recommendations to be made and measures to be taken that will help safeguard public welfare, health and safety in the future.
“This will not only include an enquiry into the current relevant environmental laws, but also guidelines and regulations dealing with the planning and siting of industrial estates, especially of toxic and chemical factories, which are close to schools, residential areas and areas frequented by the public,” she added.
Meenakshi said it was also vital to ascertain how the victims of such pollution are treated and responded to, including into whether they have been sufficiently taken care of in terms of ensuring their health and well-being, both in the shorter and longer terms due to the effects of the pollution.
“Since prevention is better than cure, the RCI will be important so that we have the proper measures and protocols in place to avert another Pasir Gudang episode anywhere else in the country,” she noted.
It was reported that the Education Ministry had closed 475 institutions of learning to enable the authorities to address the source of the problem.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had said that the ministry would decide on whether to extend the closure after discussion with the various agencies on the ground.