Pollution in Pasir Gudang should not have recurred: Dr Mahathir
Published on: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
By: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stressed that the air pollution in Pasir Gudang shouldn’t have recurred after the first incident in March.
“This is rather unfortunate...it seems like there are factories that are not very concerned about safety (regulations) and thus, causing the incident to recur.
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“That is why we have to identify those responsible for causing the pollution and take stern action against them,” he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Roundtable here.
Dr Mahathir said this in response to the latest incident of pollution in Pasir Gudang which caused many to suffer from breathing difficulties and vomiting since last Thursday.
All educational institutions in Pasir Gudang district had also been ordered to close until Thursday to allow authorities to work on clearing the pollution.
Meanwhile, the Johor State government is proactive in tackling the pollution issue in Pasir Gudang which began last Thursday, dismissing claims made by certain parties that government agencies were slow to react.
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Chairman of the Johor Health, Culture and Heritage Committee Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said the government agencies have been working hard to tackle the latest incident since it began.
“From the very first day, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Department of Environment, the Chemistry Department and the District Office were among the agencies which worked to immediately handle the issue.
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“There was not even one government agency which did not play its part. Up till today, all played their roles well. I dismiss the claim that government agencies did not perform their duties,” he told reporters at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.
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