JOHOR BARU: Police have confirmed receiving four more reports linked to the recent pollution incident in Sungai Johor near Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang in Kota Tinggi.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the additional reports were lodged by a mine owner and three affected Orang Asli villagers.
This brings the total number of police reports received so far to seven, following the incident on Friday (Oct 31).
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"Previously, three reports were lodged... by Johor’s water operator Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd and two villagers," he told reporters at state police headquarters here on Wednesday (Nov 5).
However, Comm Ab Rahaman said the investigation is not being carried out by the police.
"The investigation is led by the Environment Department (DOE) and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). Ranhill SAJ is also conducting an internal investigation," he added.
He said police are monitoring the situation to ensure that there are no unexpected disruptions or public safety issues.
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Comm Ab Rahaman also confirmed that the mining company involved holds a valid permit issued by the Kota Tinggi District Land and Mines Office.
"I cannot comment further, but the company has a permit to extract sand. The licence is legal," he said.
Earlier, Comm Ab Rahaman had said that three Orang Asli villages were affected by the incident: Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang, Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Intan and Kampung Orang Asli Kempas Menang.
The pollution was believed to have occurred when a sand-washing pond burst, causing sediment to contaminate Sungai Johor.
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The incident disrupted the livelihoods of about 150 fishermen along the upper part of the river and affected raw water supply to about 1.8 million people, or 455,757 account holders, across four districts – Johor Baru, Kulai, Pontian and Kota Tinggi.
On Sunday (Nov 2), state works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the mining company’s extractive material permit had been suspended pending investigations.
He said the probe is being conducted under Section 7A(1)(c) of the Water Enactment 1921 (Amendment 2014) and the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
