Johor DoE probes white effluent in Sungai Kim Kim, checks CCTV after pollution fears resurface

Johor Department of Environment (DoE) is probing potential pollution at Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang following photos shared on social media suggesting the river turned white on March 24. Johor DoE director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff announced the probe after receiving complaints about the incident. However, Yusoff reported the river had reverted to its usual condition by the time DoE officials reached the site.

Yusoff suggested the white appearance might be due to a single incident of dumping substances into the river. The Johor DoE, in collaboration with the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), plans to examine CCTV footage from the area to pinpoint the responsible party and enforce appropriate penalties under relevant laws. User Nasrul Nordin posted pictures on Threads showing the river turning white along the bypass between Taman Pasir Putih and Kota Masai in Pasir Gudang.

The pollution incident, allegedly causing unpleasant odors across Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang since last night, has reportedly happened multiple times recently. Social media users expressed dissatisfaction and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits. Sungai Kim Kim witnessed a toxic waste pollution catastrophe on March 7, 2019, which led to over 2,000 individuals falling ill and forcing 111 schools in Pasir Gudang to close.

In September, 171 victims of the tragedy secured a civil suit against four defendants in the Civil High Court, with Judicial Commissioner Manira Mohd Nor ordering the defendants to pay RM100,000 in legal fees.