JOHOR BARU: An investigation of the oil spill incident at Tanjung Langsat Port Terminal (TLPT) will begin once clean-up operations have been completed, says a Johor exco member.
Health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said cleaning works at the affected area are almost done.
“We expect the operation will be complete in the next two days. Once it is done, we will investigate the incident to take enforcement action,” he told reporters after presenting Aidilfitri money packets on behalf of the state government to Hospital Sultan Ismail medical staff here on Tuesday (April 8).
He added that immediate action by the authorities ensured that the oil spill did not become a major incident affecting those living near TLPT.
“We have been told by our Singapore counterparts that the oil spill hit their waters and some locations there. Frequent communication has helped deal with the situation.
“As we were able to detect the incident early, (we could follow) our standard operating procedures in dealing with oil spills... (carrying out) immediate action that helped minimise the damage,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Johor South Fishermen Association chairman Azli Mohd Aziz said the oil spill did not affect local fishermen at Tanjung Langsat and Kampung Perigi Acheh.
“Coincidentally, when the incident occurred, fishermen did not go out to sea as they were still celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their loved ones and friends.
“Quick action by the authorities by placing oil booms around the spill area ensured that the oil slick did not spread.
“It was also high tide at the time, so most of the oil spill went out to sea (towards) Singapore waters (including) Pulau Tekong and Changi,” he added.
On Friday (April 4), the Environment Department (DOE) said it was monitoring an oil spill at TLPT in Pasir Gudang.
DOE director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the department had received a report on the oil spill the day before.
He added that it was caused by a pipeline leak from the terminal tank to a vessel at the jetty.
"It is estimated that 1.6 cubic metres of oil spilled into the sea," Wan Abdul Latiff said.
