Pollution hits Sg Kim Kim in Johor again, DoE investigating cause

JOHOR BARU: Investigation of pollution at Sungai Kim Kim is ongoing, says Johor Environment Department (DoE) director Dr Famey Yusoff.

"Investigation officers are completing the investigation papers. We are also waiting for chemistry reports," he said on Monday (Aug 2) when contacted about developments in the investigation following complaints of pollution in Sungai Kim Kim.

It was earlier reported that public complaints led the authorities to the discovery of pollution in Sungai Kim Kim here.

State health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said the DoE conducted an investigation at Sungai Kim Kim following complaints from the public about a foul smell coming from the river around Kampung Bukit Pulai in Pasir Gudang.

"DoE staff went to the scene at about 10pm on Wednesday (July 28) upon receiving the complaints.

"When they arrived, they found that the water in the river had turned dark and had a foul smell.

"They then inspected areas around the river and based on early investigation, the pollution was suspected to be caused by waste being dumped from non-industrial premises," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 1).

He said samples were collected and sent to the Chemistry Department for further action under the Environment Quality Act (Act 127).

"The parties involved have been told to stop dumping untreated waste and to immediately take corrective measures.

"Drones have also been flown over the area to monitor the pollution and in situ water tests were conducted at areas where the public complaints were coming from," he said.

In March 2019, toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim resulted in thousands of people falling ill and the temporary closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang district.

The district was again hit with similar pollution three months later, which also caused dozens to fall sick and saw another temporary closure of 111 schools.