JOHOR BARU: Two religious schools affected by the toxic stench in Kampung Maju Jaya, Taman Perling, and Bandar Baru Uda here have been instructed to suspend classes until further notice.
Johor Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the schools, with 1,065 students and 20 teachers, were directed to close as a precautionary measure.
SA Kampung Melayu Pandan was shut down for a day last week, while SA Kampung Maju Jaya was ordered to close from Tuesday until further notice.
The directive was issued through the committee's Islamic Education Division.
The teachers and students were instructed to continue their lessons through home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) classes to ensure that their learning is not disrupted," he said today.
SA Kampung Melayu Pandan has 435 students and eight teachers, while SA Kampung Maju Jaya has 630 students and 12 teachers. There are 95 registered religious schools in the state capital.
Fared said the decision to temporarily shut down the schools was made to safeguard the health and safety of students, teachers and staff members.
He also advised residents in affected areas to wear face masks when outdoors to minimise exposure to the chemical odour.
The situation is being monitored closely, and the schools will be reopened once conditions improve, he said.
The chemical odour, described by some as a foul onion-like stench, was first detected in the early hours of Sept 3 in residential areas in Taman Daya, Taman Mount Austin, Taman Istimewa and Kampung Melayu Pandan.
Up to yesterday, 47 people had sought medical attention at hospitals and clinics, and two were still warded.
On Monday, police arrested two suspects who were allegedly caught dumping a dark liquid, believed to be chemical waste, into Sungai Linggiu, Kota Tinggi, some 50 kilometres away from the state capital.
A Disaster Management Committee task force was set-up to oversee clean-up works and arrest others responsible for the dumping.