Dr M: No need to evacuate Pasir Gudang

JOHOR BARU: There is no need to declare Pasir Gudang as a disaster area and order it to be evacuated says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said that the situation had not reached the level that required such a measure.

"The people should have the faith in the government that it is handling the issue to be best of its ability," he said adding that this situation was "the first of its kind as it involves gases".

He said this on Thursday (March 14) after a working visit to the disaster area and to visit victims at the hospital.

Asked if the worse had been resolved or if there could be another wave, he said; "We cannot say that the worst is over or whether the situation will improve – what we know is that we know how to handle the problem".