JOHOR BARU: The state government has set up a disaster management committee to expedite the cleanup process of the chemical pollution detected at a mine in Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan near Kota Tinggi.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said chemical waste was found at a mine near an open area in the village, leading to the accumulation of hazardous materials.
"There is an accumulation of chemical waste.
"I have discussed with the district officer of Kota Tinggi to form the disaster management committee to expedite the cleanup process for that area," he said.
He said this during a press conference after attending the Green Legacy Johor Summit 2024 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre today.
Asked on the latest developments regarding chemical contamination in Johor Baru, Ling said the cleanup work in Sungai Pandan and Sungai Plentong here has been completed.
He, however, said enforcement actions have yet to be taken as investigations by the police with the cooperation of the local authorities and the Johor Department of Environment, are still on-going.
"In our list, there are over 150 factories producing the waste, and we have completed inspections, but no enforcement action has been taken yet.
On Sept 26, five people, including a Singaporean factory director, were charged at the Kota Tinggi Sessions Court for sabotage of water services in Bandar Tenggara on Sept 4.
The individuals include factory director and shareholder Tan Eng Yong, 41 (a Singaporean), and Lau Kam Wai, 53, who was charged with conspiring with R Navaraj, 23; K Prasanth, 28; and K Jaya Kumar, 52, who are also a lorry driver and his assistant.
They pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before Judge Hayda Faridzal Abu Hasan.
The five and another individual still at large were charged with indirect sabotage, causing harm to the maintenance of a vital service, namely water supply services.
They were accused of committing the act at a mine in Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan, Bandar Tenggara, between 8pm and 11.30pm on Sept 4.
Earlier this month, Johor experienced several instances of odour pollution, believed to be caused by chemical waste dumping in rivers around Johor Baru and Kota Tinggi.
More than 38 Orang Asli residents in Kampung Pasir Intan had to be relocated to a nearby community hall after experiencing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing due to odour pollution in the Linggui River, a tributary of Sungai Sayong.