00:00The Department of Environment, DOE, detected elevated levels of ammonia gas during air
00:07quality monitoring at Sungai Pandan, Kampung Melayu Pandan around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, following
00:14reports of chemical odor pollution in three areas in Johor Bahru.
00:19State DOE Senior Deputy Director Mohamed Rashtantopah reported that air quality readings returned
00:24to normal during subsequent monitoring at 1.10 a.m. on Wednesday.
00:29He explained that ammonia gas is commonly used in industries such as fertilizer, manufacturing
00:35and ice production.
00:37Consequently, further investigations will be conducted on approximately 100 factories
00:43located along the river.
00:45Mohamed Rashtantopah said the investigation will also explore the possibility that lorries
00:51from external factories may have been transporting and dumping waste into the river.
00:57He noted that the department had collected soil and water samples for analysis after
01:02aerial monitoring revealed an oil sheen stretching about two kilometers along the surface of
01:08Sungai Pandan.
01:09The river appeared blackish, raising suspicions of a chemical spill.
01:14The Johor State Health Department reported that two individuals experiencing symptoms
01:19of nausea and dizziness have received outpatient treatment.
01:23Earlier, a Burnama check in Kampung Melayu Pandan found that a religious school, which
01:29was closed on Tuesday, had resumed operations on Wednesday morning.
01:33However, a kindergarten remains closed.
01:36Kampung Melayu Pandan Residents' Association Chairman Mohamed Fauzi Mohamed said air quality
01:43on Wednesday was significantly improved compared to the previous day, though a slight odor
01:48lingered, particularly along Sungai Pandan.
01:52He added that residents remain concerned as the authorities have not yet identified
01:57the chemical substance found in the river.
02:00Johor Baru Mayor Datuk Mohamed Nurazam Osman stated that Sungai Pandan, also known as Sungai
02:05Terbrau, has been earmarked for redevelopment under MBJB's Special Area Plans, RKK, for
02:12the next 10 years.
02:14As part of the RKK, squatters and factories along or near the river will be relocated
02:19to clean up the area and improve the river's water quality.
02:24Regarding the incident, Mohamed Nurazam said MBJB is working with the DOE to obtain a full
02:30report to determine responsibility and take appropriate action.
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