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Johor completes probe on Pasir Gudang river pollution

JOHOR BARU — The Johor Department of Environment (DOE) has completed its investigation papers that will be sent to the public prosecutor soon on the illegal dumping of toxic chemicals into the Kim Kim River that has sickened over 500 people and forced the closure of schools in the area.

Oil booms seen on part of the Kim Kim River in Pasir Gudang on March 8, used to stop toxic waste from floating further down river.

Oil booms seen on part of the Kim Kim River in Pasir Gudang on March 8, used to stop toxic waste from floating further down river.

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JOHOR BARU — The Johor Department of Environment (DOE) has completed its investigation papers that will be sent to the public prosecutor soon on the illegal dumping of toxic chemicals into the Kim Kim River that has sickened over 500 people and forced the closure of schools in the area.

The investigation team will also charge two companies operating the factories that were responsible for illegally dumping the chemicals that are considered scheduled waste into the river in Pasir Gudang.

Johor DOE director Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh said the investigations were done within a 24-hour period involving three male suspects aged between 40 and 50 who were arrested yesterday.

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“The DOE investigation team are satisfied with the probe and have recorded evidence from three suspects who had also verbally admitted their involvement in the illegal dumping of chemical waste into Sungai Kim Kim last Thursday,” he said when contacted by Malay Mail on March 12.

It was learnt that the DOE investigation team had also seized several items related to the case from two separate factories in Kulai and also in Pasir Gudang which will be used as evidence.

Mr Mohammad Ezzani said the state DOE will submit the investigation papers to the Public Prosecutor’s Office by this week.

Source: Malay Mail

Based on the investigations, he said they have received positive feedback that there are grounds to charge the suspects in court.

“We are waiting for the green light to submit the papers and also haul the suspects and the two companies to court.

“We investigated the case under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 which provides for a maximum fine of RM500,000 (S$166,000) and imprisonment of not more than five years,” said Mr Mohammad Ezzani.

During the incident on March 7, DOE investigators identified the illegally dumped chemical as marine oil that emitted flammable methane and benzene fumes.

The oil is a scheduled waste and needs proper disposal due to its hazardous nature.

Following investigations, the DOE arrested the owner of a chemical factory in Kulai on March 10, followed by the owner and a worker of a shredded waste factory in Taman Pasir Puteh in Pasir Gudang on March 11. MALAY MAIL

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