Fearing a repeat of the March 7, 2019 incident, Pasir Gudang locals have alerted the environment and water ministry when they found the pollution.

At a press conference, environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said 11 officers have been deployed to the area to look into the matter this morning.

“Coincidentally, the report yesterday marks two years since the toxic pollution incident (that affected some 60,000 living nearby),” he said.

He said water and air samples will be taken to determine the source of the pollution, and estimated that their findings would be ready within a day.

He added that offenders would face higher penalties now that amendments to Section 12 of the Water Services Industry Act (Act 655) 2006 have been given the green light by the Cabinet.

The Sungei Kim Kim toxic pollution incident in 2019 shocked the nation when many students and canteen operators at school collapsed after showing symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Pasir Gudang’s 6000 residents were at immediate risk, and schools in the area were ordered to close. A total of 1,500 tonnes of river water was needed to clear the 900 tonnes of toxic sludge from the area.