Eight Pasir Gudang factories ordered shut, RM166k in compounds issued in pollution probe

JOHOR BARU: At least eight factories have been ordered to close down and some RM166,000 worth of compound notices have been issued to factories in Pasir Gudang.

State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said that so far, the authorities have checked 153 premises out of the 252 chemical factories in the area.

"We expect to check all the factories within a week," he said, adding that some 102 notices were issued to the owners for various offences under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

At least eight premises handling toxic chemicals and recycling were also ordered to be closed.

When asked if this latest chemical incident could be an act of sabotage to make the government look bad as so far, no source of the pollution has been found, he just said that they were focusing on monitoring and enforcement before looking at other aspects.

He added that on Tuesday (July 2), some 100 schools were monitored and most of the readings were normal.

"Despite this, we had 38 students from nine schools down with symptoms. Nobody was admitted to hospital though," he added.

Since June 20, more than 700 students and some adults have sought treatment after falling ill in the area.

Meanwhile, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said she was unperturbed by the lies and slander thrown against her, following the Pasir Gudang pollution incident.

She said that her immediate priority was to handle the case that was affecting small children.

"I am not afraid. I plan to take those responsible for the lies and slander to court," she added.

Yeo described this as "ugly politics" by those trying to attack the government.

"There are hundreds of officers carrying out checks and monitoring.

"I also have tens of chemists carrying out blood and urine samples; how can I control them?" she asked.

She was asked to comment about personal attacks against her, following a Facebook posting alleging that her husband, IOI Properties Group Bhd chief executive officer Lee Yeow Seng, owns three chemical factories in Pasir Gudang.