Johor looks into moving out high-risk chemical factories

Dr Shahruddin Jamal, menteri besar of Johor, says two committees will monitor pollution. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is drawing up a sustainable town development plan for Pasir Gudang as a long-term measure to address environmental pollution in the area.

Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal said studies would be conducted into the possibility of relocating high-risk chemical factories and creating a buffer zone between the industrial and residential areas.

In a winding-up speech at the state assembly today, Sahruddin said two committees would be set up to monitor the pollution situation in the area.

One of the committees, he said, is the Technical and Scientific Working Committee that will coordinate, monitor and track the impact that will occur in Pasir Gudang.

The committee will have representatives from the various technical departments and experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

There would also be a monitoring committee, comprising elected representatives, non-governmental organisations, parent-teacher associations and the Pasir Gudang Emergency Mutual Aid, to provide the latest status on pollution in Pasir Gudang.

“These two committees will meet periodically and report directly to the State Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee chairman every month,” he added.

On claims that he had not taken seriously the pollution issue in Pasir Gudang, Sahruddin said the state government did not consider the problem petty and had allocated RM6.4 million for cleaning up toxic waste in Sungai Kim Kim. - FMT