Pools closed indefinitely after students fall ill

JOHOR BARU: An aquatic centre, which recently hit the headlines when 19 students fell ill after swimming in the pools, will stay closed until further notice, says the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

Mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the Arena Larkin MBJB Aquatic Centre here would only be reopened after it is certified safe by the Chemistry Department.

“The Chemistry Department will be conducting several tests. The first line of testing has been completed; it is expected to carry out the second test,” he told the media after chairing the council’s meeting yesterday.

Mohd Noorazam made the statement in response to questions about the discovery of E. coli bacteria in some of the pools.

He said a stern warning had been given to the centre’s management.

“I just want to make one thing clear: despite being called the MBJB Aquatic Centre, it is not being managed by the council.

“The centre was supposed to be handed to MBJB, but that has yet to happen because the developer has not fulfilled some criteria,” he said, adding the centre was managed by the contractor outsourced by Damansara Assets, an arm of Johor Corporation.

He said the centre was built for the Sukma Games 2020, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nineteen students reportedly suffered from symptoms including vomiting, fever and itchy skin after swimming at the aquatic facility.

They were among 900 participants at the Johor Schools Sports Council 2024 Aquatic Championship, which was held from July 23 to 25.