KOTA TINGGI: Thirty-eight villagers of Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan here have been staying at a temporary relief centre since last Thursday due to toxic fumes at Sungai Linggiu.
The 10 Orang Asli families were relocated after they complained of ilnesses such as sore throat, nausea, dizziness, eye pain, vomiting, shortness of breath and fever.
Village tok batin Hamdan Yusoff said the villagers were relocated with the assistance of Panti assemblyman Hahasrin Hashim.
“The odour pollution occurred on Sept 4 morning when some of the villagers suddenly experienced nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
“After the villagers sought treatment at the Panti health clinic, Hahasrin told us to relocate at the community hall, where we have been staying for almost a week now,” he said here yesterday.
Hamdan said the chemical odour was very strong as the dumping ground – Sungai Linggiu – is just one kilometre from the village.
The 48-year-old said during the day of the incident, the villagers stopped a lorry tanker that allegedly dumped black liquid believed to be chemicals into the river.
He claimed the lorry driver and an assistant had dumped chemicals into the river previously before being detained.
“The action has affected the villagers,” he said, adding that the villagers then handed them over to the police.
He urged the Environment Department (DOE) and other related agencies to clean up Sungai Linggiu immediately.
When contacted, a police source confirmed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. The case has been transferred to the DOE for further investigation.
