The Johor state government has approved RM6.4 million as emergency allocation to implement cleaning up work in the Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang.
The cleaning up work will take place along a 1.5-km stretch of the river that has been polluted with chemical wastes, Johor state health, environment and agriculture committee chairperson Sahruddin Jamal said.
"Several contractors have been appointed to carry out the cleaning work immediately, so that controlling measures can be taken," Sahruddin said in a statement today.
A security command centre has also been formed at the Taman Pasir Putih multipurpose hall and a disaster management operations centre located at Level 3 of the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council's Aqabah Tower, he added.
Johor Baru district officer Mohd Ridha has also been appointed to coordinate all 24-hour monitoring, security and safety efforts, he said.
"We call upon all parties to stay calm and follow the latest developments through official and verified sources," Sahruddin added.
The dumping of chemical wastes into Sungai Kim Kim has led to more than 200 people being hospitalised.
Last Thursday, pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Pasir Putih were told to vacate the premises after methane gas caused several of them to vomit and suffer shortness of breath.
The second wave of toxic fumes on Monday pushed the number of people hospitalised to 207.
The Education Ministry has since ordered all 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang district to be closed until further notice. - Mkini
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