PASIR GUDANG: A group of residents in Pasir Gudang have expressed their disappointment over the authorities’ lack of action in addressing the issue of illegal chemical factories in the area.
Badan Bertindak Penduduk Isu Pencemaran Alam (BBPIPA) said based on reports in the media and statements from the state government, there seemed to be a lack of enforcement and monitoring that had caused the Sungai Kim Kim incident to recur.
"We are puzzled why there are still illegal factories operating in Pasir Gudang, when they obviously are breaking the law.
"We want to know whether they are being 'protected'," said BBPIPA deputy chairman Mohd Rafee Abdullah.
BBPIPA represents 110 Pasir Gudang residents who were affected by the Sungai Kim Kim toxic dumping case in March, some of which were also affected by the recent air pollution incident.
Rafee said after Sungai Kim Kim, the group submitted a memorandum to the state government urging them to enhance enforcement on chemical factories to ensure the incident does not recur.
"However, there was no response from the state government, until a similar incident happened last month. We want the relevant authorities to investigate whether there are elements of corruption or threat to the enforcement agencies, or if there is misconduct that has caused the incident to recur," said Rafee.
He was speaking to the media at Bukit Layang-Layang here after lodging a police report on the matter at the Seri Alam police headquarters.
Rafee said a report on the matter will also be lodged with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission in Putrajaya at a later date.
He also questioned how the RM6.4 million allocated to handle the Sungai Kim Kim case was utilised.
"According to media reports, besides cleaning up operation in Sungai Kim Kim, the allocation was also supposed to be used to compensate affected residents. However, until now, we have yet to receive any compensation," Rafeesaid.
He hoped the authorities would release details on how the allocation was used to avoid any speculation that there were elements of misconduct involved.
Last week it was reported that the state government and the Johor Menteri Besar were among 11 named as defendants in a suit filed at the Johor Baru High Court by a group of Pasir Gudang residents who were affected by the Sungai Kim Kim toxic waste dumping.
Counsel Kamarudin Ahmad, who is representing the plaintiffs, said the group comprises 120 fishermen, six civilians and 34 students.