THE Johor Department of Environment (DOE) has given its assurance that Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang is free of any chemical contamination following a thorough cleanup.

Department director Dr Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh said the air quality in the area is safe, adding that tests have indicated zero air pollution.

“DoE is monitoring the area 24 hours on a daily basis until the schools open,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The area is free of pollution and ieven contact with the river water is safe.

“The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) is monitoring the river.”

The illegal dumping of chemicals into the river two-weeks-ago has had a deleterious effect on the health of more than 1,000 people, mostly students attending school near Sg Kim Kim.

The DOE said 20 tonnes of chemical waste could have been dumped into the river that triggered the environmental and public health crisis.

A total of 111 schools in the area were ordered to be closed during the disaster. Classes will resume on Monday.

Ezzani said that the department would monitor the activities of factories not only at Sungai Kim Kim, but throughout Johor, which has some 60 factories

“We will monitor all the factories closely… we will ensure all factories comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

“This focuses on three areas, which are air quality, water quality and waste management.”

Ezzani said factories in the area are now required to send regular reports to the department, adding that officers will conduct checks on the factories as often as possible.

“We are focused on the factories around Sg Kim Kim. There is one factory here which will have to give us hourly updates.

“All the factories will have to report to us weekly or monthly based on the criteria set by DoE.

“If they don’t report or fail to give the data, we will take action such as compound or take them to court.”

Despite assurances from environmental offices that the river and the surrounding area are cleared of chemical residues, many residents are unwilling to return home to the area they had fled in the panic over chemical poisoning.

They are hoping that the government will provide assistance in the form of compensation and long-term safety measures for the area.

Ezzam assured concerned residents that the state DOE was working to ensure that the Sg Kim Kim incident did nor recur, but admitted that the department lacked manpower and equipment.

“We hope that the federal government can assist us to resolve this issue.”

He urged residents in Sungai Kim Kim to alert the authorities of any suspicious activity in the area.

“We wish to guarantee the public that we will take action immediately if anyone tries to pollute the environment.

“We will not compromise if anyone disobeys the rules.” – March 30, 2019.