JOHOR BARU: Several locations around the district here have been reporting a strong chemical odour early Monday (Sept 9) morning believed to be caused by pollution.
Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said that he received reports about strong odour pollution that had hit Kampung Tawakal and Kampung Maju Jaya here.
“The odour is quite bad and caused some of the villagers to vomit. There is a possibility that the strong odour could come from a nearby river,” he said in a Facebook post here.
Puah said that he had also contacted the Kempas fire and rescue station chief asking for immediate action to deploy firemen to the scene and provide medical treatment to affected villagers.
In the post, he said he had visited the villages together with firemen, police, village chiefs and penghulu.
“I have also contacted Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek about the situation affecting the two villages. She has instructed schools in the area to close immediately for the safety of teachers and students,” he added.
Puah urged the authorities to investigate the matter and take stern action against those responsible as matters involving public health should not be compromised.
Meanwhile, Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said that her team also received reports on strong chemical odour coming from Sungai Pandan.
“We received information that the pollution was caused by the dumping of chemical waste in Sungai Tebrau.
“Residents living in the affected areas are urged to take precautionary measures by wearing face masks, avoid being in the affected areas, and immediately seek treatment if experiencing any symptoms,” she said.
Earlier, residents in Skudai had reported experiencing a strong chemical odour, similar to the smells that have been affecting various locations in the Tebrau area for the past week.
Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim urged the public not to worry about the situation as her team was well aware about complaints on the strong chemical odour.
“Some residents complained about having headaches, sore throats and vomiting due to the strong smell.
“We also received information about a similar situation coming from outside the Skudai area,” she said.
Marina added that she and her team were at the location to monitor public complaints over the strong chemical odour.
“Firemen are already at the scene to investigate the complaints. Thank you, Fire and Rescue Department and Environment Department,” she said, adding that she would continue to provide updates.
Meanwhile, state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon confirmed that authorities have received public reports about the situation in Skudai.
“The Fire and Rescue Department is at the location to monitor the situation while DOE has been mobilised to the location to find the cause,” he said.
On Sept 3, a strong chemical odour was detected around Taman Daya, Taman Mount Austin and Taman Istimewa, which spread to Kampung Melayu Pandan.
Several villagers claimed the overpowering stench had made them feel dizzy. At 4pm that day, the department detected unusual levels of ammonia gas along Sungai Pandan.
