7 years on, 171 victims win Sungai Kim Kim pollution suit

In 2019, toxic fumes were emitted into Sungai Kim Kim, a river in Pasir Gudang, Johor, after chemical waste was dumped into it. This caused harm to residents living nearby. After seven years of legal proceedings, the Johor Bahru High Court has ruled in favor of 171 plaintiffs who were affected by the pollution. The Court ordered the factory, its directors, and a lorry driver to pay the plaintiffs RM100,000 in legal costs.

The actual damages owed to the plaintiffs will be determined later. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Kamarudin Ahmad, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and hoping the ruling would deter factories from recklessly disposing of toxic waste. The plaintiffs are currently awaiting a case management date to assess the damages.

Among the plaintiffs, 42 school students and members of the public are seeking RM30 million in damages for economic losses, while 129 fishermen are seeking RM3 million for their financial losses. However, the plaintiffs failed to sue eight other defendants, including the Johor government, former state health, environment, and agriculture committee chairman, and the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council.

The plaintiffs also sought an order for the state government to cover health examination costs and medical treatment for three and ten years, respectively, should the plaintiffs suffer health issues related to the pollution. The fishermen are claiming damages for lost earnings due to decreased fish sales, as well as damages for toxic gas inhalation and related health symptoms.