JOHOR BARU: Several unidentified objects were found dumped along a stream that connects to Sungai Pandan, according to the Environment Department.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the objects were found on Wednesday while the department was inspecting the area over recent chemical and odour pollution reports.
“The Fire and Rescue Department handed the investigation over to the Environment Department, which found several unidentified objects inside packages near Taman Daya,” Ling said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Samples were sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
The Yong Peng assemblyman arrived at the scene at 10am yesterday, as soon as he got word about the objects, and confirmed the presence of the same odour reported earlier in Kampung Melayu Pandan.
“Safety lines were put up and the air quality there is being measured,” Ling said, adding that the department was also inspecting nearby factories in the Tebrau 1 industrial area to ensure compliance with waste management regulations.
“The checks did not find anything unusual, but authorities will continue monitoring.”
There are more than 100 factories operating along Sungai Pandan.
A strong chemical odour was detected around Taman Daya, Taman Mount Austin and Taman Istimewa, on Tuesday morning, which spread to Kampung Melayu Pandan.
Several villagers claimed the overpowering stench had made them feel dizzy. At 4pm that day, the department detected unusual levels of ammonia gas along Sungai Pandan.
