Pahang identifies 225 areas contaminated with toxic waste

The Pahang government has identified 225 areas which may have toxic waste, said state exco for tourism, environment, plantations and biotechnology Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin today.

The districts of Kuantan and Jerantut possess the highest numbers at 69 and 67 respectively, followed by Cameron Highlands (28), Temerloh (26), Bentong (7), Bera (6), Pekan (6), Raub (5), Lipis (4), Rompin (4) and Maran (3).

The areas were identified through satellite readings conducted by the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA).

In this light, Mohd Sharkar said, the Pahang government's newly established Disposal of Hazardous Waste Monitoring Committee will be conducting inspections in all 225 areas to follow up on the satellite readings, in cooperation with all relevant state and federal bodies.

Established in May and headed by state secretary Sallehuddin Ishak, the committee is also responsible for scrutinising applications to set up new factories, re-examine existing applications, undertake spot checks and put standard operating procedures into place, in the event of a contamination incident.

Sharkar was speaking to reporters at a press conference at Wisma Sri Pahang in Kuantan, which was also attended by Sallehuddin, as well as Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency director-general Azlikamil Napiah and state Environment Department director Rosli Zul.

The committee is expected to take one month to come up with its findings, said Sharkar, who also expressed the hope that the federal government would set aside a special allocation to help with the high cost of cleaning up toxic waste, should the need arise.

- Bernama