Ex-MB urges gov't to be more forthcoming on Pasir Gudang pollution

Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin (above) has urged the Johor government to be more forthcoming with details on pollution in Pasir Gudang.

In a statement today, Khaled, who is former Johor menteri besar, said updates should be more frequent, as with disclosing the government's strategy for handling the matter.

"This will help allay public fears and ensure that the government will be on top of the matter soon.

"Not taking action will only result in Pasir Gudang folks panicking and having to deal with uncertainty," he said.

An estimated 60 people have received treatment due to air pollution in the industrial town of Pasir Gudang over the past four days.

Several schools and kindergartens have been closed after students complained of breathing difficulties, nausea and vomiting.

The authorities have yet to declare the cause of these illnesses.

This is the second incident in three months where Pasir Gudang folk have been affected by pollution.

The last incident was blamed on chemicals being dumped into Sungai Kim Kim. Some 4,000 people and 111 schools in the vicinity were affected.