More dumpsites found

Cause for concern: The new dumping place near SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort. (Inset) Authorities at the new illegal dumpsite in Sungai Masai.

PASIR GUDANG: While the autho­ri­ties have their hands full cleaning up the contaminated Sungai Kim Kim, two new dumpsites have been found along Sungai Masai and Sungai Semilang.

It is learnt that the authorities who were notified of the discovery at Sungai Masai on Sunday promptly went to the location along the Pasir Gudang Highway heading towards Johor Baru.

According to sources, more than 10 blue-coloured plastic barrels, believed to contain chemical substance, were collected from Sungai Masai, one of the main waterways here.

Checks on the river, which is about 18km away from Sungai Kim Kim, showed that it flows straight into the Johor Straits bordering Singapore.

Meanwhile, about seven barrels were found near Sungai Semilang in Taman Tanjung Puteri Resort at 2.30pm yesterday.

This river is a mere 2km from Sungai Kim Kim, where the chemical pollution around the area – which came to light earlier this month – has sickened more than 4,000 people.

The discovery is also just 500m away from SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort, one of the 111 schools ordered closed since last Wednesday due to the toxic fumes coming from the river.

The barrels were found dumped at a drain and underneath a bridge connecting Taman Tanjung Puteri and Taman Pasir Putih.

A resident, Ahmad Roh Ariffin, 51, claimed that the liquid from the barrels had seeped into the river, resulting in a terrible stench.

“We found the barrels last Thursday and informed the authorities about them, but there has been no action so far.

“We are worried because the smell is really bad and there are some residents who complain of breathing difficulty and nausea,” he added.

Authorities at the new illegal dumpsite in Sungai Masai.

Yesterday, two police personnel arrived at the scene to place a barricade around the area to bar the media and public from going near the site.

The Star had reported that there were new signs of other waste dumping sites within a 5km radius of Sungai Kim Kim.

In a statement last night, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian urged the public to refrain from going to the two newly found illegal dumpsites near Sungai Masai and Sungai Semilang.

The Kempas assemblyman said he had directed the state Depart­ment of Environment (DOE) to investigate the reports immediately.

“I am seriously looking at the reports and complaints about se­ve­ral chemical dumpsites in Masai.

“I have instructed security agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department and police to close off the two areas,” he said.

Pending a full report by DOE, the areas will be closed off until cleaning, control and investigation have been done, he added.

Malaysian Nature Society vice-­president Vincent Chow said he was not surprised with the latest developments and the possibility of more dumpsites being uncovered.

“The authorities, especially the state government, should conduct thorough checks in all the districts in Johor because illegal dumping has been going on for a long time,” he said.