More gas leak closures in Johor with nine kindergartens shut

The latest toxic gas incident in Pasir Gudang caused more closures today, with the government ordering nine Tabika Perpaduan (National Unity and Integration Department kindergarten) to close operations until Thursday.

Deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Md Farid Rafik said in a statement the closures were made to ensure the safety of kindergarten students in the affected area.

The closures took effect from yesterday until Thursday.

”The Johor National Unity and Integration Department will continue to monitor the situation closely. Should the need arises, the closures will be extended and would be informed from time to time," Farid said.

The kindergartens affected are: Tabika Perpaduan Taman Scientex A, Taman Scientex B, Zon Sentosa A, Zon Sentosa B, Taman Nusa Damai, Taman Tg. Puteri Resort A, Taman Tg. Puteri Resort B, Perjiranan 8A and Perjiranan 8B.

Farid also urged all parents in the area to monitor their children and be aware of symptoms related to toxic gas.

He said the parents should seek immediate medical treatment if such symptoms appear.

Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim demanded the federal and Johor state governments take immediate actions to tackle the issue of toxic gas pollution.

He said the governments should order all chemical factories that emit gas to stop their operations until the air contamination issue is settled and air quality can be guaranteed.

”The federal government should take over from the state immediately in handling this gas leak problem.

”Deploy all expert teams from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and universities to conduct analysis and monitoring of the air quality, and to determine the real source of this gas leak.

”I urge for no cover-up by the authorities to protect factories or companies that had violated the Environmental Quality laws," he said in a statement.

Hassan said he also does not want to hear any more empty promises from state government leaders and the authorities who have guaranteed that the situation was under control when it is not.

It was reported that on Thursday, 15 people, including 13 pupils, aged between seven and 12 years, and two staff of Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar and SK Pasir Gudang 4 were rushed to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for treatment after they vomited and suffered breathing difficulties.

According to Johor Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee chairperson Tan Chen Choon, the school authorities detected the smell of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) three days earlier and informed the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG).

This was the second incident of air contamination in Pasir Gudang after March 7, when residents in the same area were affected by air contamination from toxic waste in Sungai Kim Kim.