Johor health and environment exco Ayub Rahmat however said the state Civil Defence Department (JPA) would clear the oil patches along the beaches of Kampung Pasir Puteh, Kampung Telok Kabung and Kampung Perigi Acheh.

“We decided this in the second meeting held today. The Johor Port Authority meanwhile will be in charge of cleaning affected areas in the sea,” he said, adding that the Fisheries Department will deal with fishermen affected by the oil spill.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a statement earlier today said aerial surveillance showed two patches of oil concentrated along the western coastlines of Pulau Ubin (OBS Jetty) and the Nenas Channel.

The MPA also said it had deployed nine vessels to clear the oil patches there besides placing two oil skimmers and booms off both locations to contain the oil patches.

Oil skimmers are machines that separate oil floating on water while booms are used to contain an oil spill.

MPA said it will investigate the cause of the collision.