KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — A total of 119 gas poisoning patients were discharged from Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) and Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) in Johor Baru as of midnight last night.
Bernama reported Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal as saying that 29 people were currently warded at the two public hospitals, down from 120 reported yesterday.
Four people remained in the intensive care unit (ICU), down from seven, who were reportedly in stable condition.
Dr Sahruddin reportedly said 30 teams under the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change would monitor air quality at 42 schools within a radius of five to nine kilometres from Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, the source of the chemical pollution.
“Members of the teams comprised the Department of Environment (DoE) and Chemistry Department personnel who will carry out comprehensive monitoring activities from today,” Dr Sahruddin was quoted saying.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin announced yesterday that 1.5km of the river — which had been polluted with chemical waste on March 7 that emitted benzene and methane fumes, poisoning over 1,000 people including school children — has been cleaned up.
Education Minister Maszlee Malik said today that his ministry has decided to extend the closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang indefinitely.
“I hope that all parties will take note of this decision. MOE will provide the latest updates on the chemical pollution issue to all relevant parties,” he said.
The Star Online reported Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun as saying today that police have arrested nine suspected of illegally dumping chemical waste into Sungai Kim Kim. They will be remanded until Sunday.
