JOHOR BARU: The authorities need to identify the exact cause of the air pollution problem in Pasir Gudang before trying to ascertain whether development planning was a factor in the incident.
Associate Professor Dr Foziah Johar of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the Faculty of Built Environment of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said it was hard to say whether development planning had been a contributory factor without carrying out an in-depth study.
She said it was equally important to determine whether the pollution was caused by the operations of the industries or the disposal of waste by irresponsible parties.
Foziah said the plan would have been very detailed and would have included various guidelines, including on environmental issues.
“The plan would have determined the different zones for industrial and residential areas.
“During the planning process, the authorities would have taken into account various factors, including environmental issues, before approving the plan.
“The plan is regulated so all the parties need to abide by it.”
Foziah said it was also important for the authorities boost enforcement to stop irresponsible parties from disposing of toxic substances illegally.
“If strict enforcement is implemented, people would think twice before discharging any substances that are highly toxic.”
On the proposal to create buffer zones. Foziah said it was something that had to be studied further.
Last week, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said unsustainable development had affected the air, soil and river in Pasir Gudang.
She said there were 2,005 licensed factories in the district and 250 were chemical-based factories.
The minister had also said that some of the high-risk factories were not separated from residential areas and schools by buffer zones.