Johor govt still in the dark over latest cases of breathing difficulties, vomiting in Pasir Gudang

JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is still unsure what caused the latest air pollution incident, which occurred on Thursday (June 20) with 15 cases of breathing difficulties and vomiting, including 13 students from Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar in Pasir Gudang.

Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal (pic) said the authorities were still investigating the cause of the incident.

"We do not know why the students suddenly feel nauseous and fainted.

"However, we hope to get a clearer picture over what really happened when we obtain the blood test results by Monday (June 24)," he added.

Dr Sahruddin said this when met after officiating the topping-off ceremony of the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) tower here on Sunday (June 23).

He added that the state government would also be discussing with Federal Town and Country Planning Department to set up a committee to study the location of residential and industrial areas.

"This committee will study the residential and industrial areas in Pasir Gudang as they are located nearby one another," he said.

It was reported that the state government had ordered three schools and two kindergartens in Taman Mawar to be closed for two days from Sunday.

They are Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar, SK Pasir Gudang 4 and SMK Pasir Gudang 2 as well as Tadika Pasti and Tadika Pintar Bistari.

State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said Saturday (June 22) that the move involved some 3,000 people, but it was necessary.

He also said the air quality readings recorded by the authorities over the previous two days had showed it to be normal but it will be monitored until Monday.

In March, the toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim resulted in more than 4,000 people falling ill.

In Kuala Lumpur, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told reporters that another two students from Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar had been admitted to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties but were in stable condition.

This brings the total number of cases from the school to 18.