Idham Wazir A Wahab, 53, said a health report showed his son, Irfan Wafiy, now 17, developed myokymia at 11, following the pollution incident.

He disputed a government lawyer’s contention that his son’s ailment was a result of a pre-existing childhood health condition. “He no longer had health issues (asthma) after the age of four,” Idham testified.

He also disagreed with the government’s contention that the boy had a history of seizures spanning a third of his life and also disagreed with the use of the term seizure.

Idham testified that he had to resign from his job to look after his son in the aftermath of the pollution.

He was replying to questions from Johor assistant legal adviser, Azzam Zainal Abidin, representing the Johor state government, menteri besar and the executive councillor for health, environment and agriculture.

Today is the second day of the hearing of a suit filed by 41 people who were victims of the Sungai Kim Kim toxic waste pollution. They seek RM30 million in damages.

Irfan Wafiy, currently studying at a school here, is the first plaintiff in the suit. The others include students and members of the public.

The suit names 12 defendants, including the Johor state government, the state environment department, the state irrigation and drainage department, Syarikat P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd, and an employee and two directors of the company.

The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to ensure the safety and protection of Pasir Gudang residents from toxic waste pollution and did not promptly mobilise the state disaster management committee to address the pollution in Sungai Kim Kim.

The hearing continues on Oct 14-15.