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INTRODUCTION TO KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION

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INTRODUCTION TO KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION

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Water is crucial in our everyday lives in order to thrive and to keep life continuing. During the first quarter of 2019, the nation was surprised to learn about unlawful chemical dumping at Kim Kim River, which had a severe impact on the population residing near. Kim Kim River is a river that resides in Pasir Gudang, an industrial town in Johor Bahru's district.

More than 2.43 tonnes of chemical waste was illegally dumped in a river in Kim Kim River, Pasir Gudang, Johor, on March 7. The Johor state government, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), will deliver counselling to students on March 17, in order to assist them to recover from the trauma of exposure. On April 1, Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian declares that the state government is in the process of identifying multiple locations appropriate for the relocation of factories from the Pasir Gudang area. Sim Wei Der, another Singaporean company director suspected of involvement with the toxic pollutants of Kim Kim River, surrenders to Johor police on April 24. However, Johor Menteri Besar Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal subsequently stated that the occurrence is unrelated to the prior poisoning of Kim Kim River. MESTECC declares on July 1st that the government would not accept any more proposals for the development of new chemical plants in Pasir Gudang. It is because Yeo's husband, Lee Yeow Seng, owns three chemical plants in Pasir Gudang, the post accused Putrajaya of being sluggish to react. Dr Lee Boon Chye, Deputy Health Minister, later stated that there is no evidence that the hazardous contamination at Kim Kim River caused the 12-year-old myokymia. On the same day, Johor MB declares that the state government is creating a sustainable town development plan for Pasir Gudang as a long-term solution to the area's environmental contamination.

Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd Ali
2112864

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WHAT DO WE TRULY KNOW ABOUT KIM KIM RIVER'S TOXIC POLLUTION PROBLEM?

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WHAT DO WE TRULY KNOW ABOUT KIM KIM RIVER'S TOXIC POLLUTION PROBLEM?

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Pasir Gudang in Johor was thrust into the limelight in March 2019 after hazardous chemical waste was illegally dumped into Kim Kim River. Around 4,000 citizens sought treatment for shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting after inhaling poisonous fumes. The debris dumped in Kim Kim River was later recognized as marine oil waste, which emits flammable methane and benzene fumes. On June 22, 75 students from neighbouring schools were impacted by the most recent incident in Taman Mawar.

More than 2.43 tonnes of chemical waste was illegally dumped in a river in Kim Kim River, Pasir Gudang, Johor, on March 7. As of March 14, 947 individuals had sought medical attention for shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. Approximately 250 individuals have been impacted thus far, and 13 schools have been closed. The Johor state government, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), will deliver counselling to students on March 17, in order to assist them to recover from the trauma of exposure.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change (MESTECC) MinisterYeo Bee Yin declares the cleaned-up part of Kim Kim River safe. By this time, 900 tonnes of hazardous chemicals and 1,500 metric tonnes of contaminated water had been cleared from the polluted river. Nearly 4,000 citizens had been affected, and 111 schools had been closed. Chemical polluting has been prosecuted in the Johor Bahru Sessions Court by two company directors and a lorry driver of a used tyre processing company.

On April 1, Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian declares that the state government is in the process of identifying multiple locations appropriate for the relocation of factories from the Pasir Gudang area. MESTECC proclaims on April 23 that it would adopt a standard operating procedure (SOP) to combat toxicological pollution and strengthen the preparation of key parties and agencies in the event of a toxic pollution incident similar to that at Kim Kim River. Sim Wei Der, another Singaporean company director suspected of involvement with the toxic pollutants of Kim Kim River, surrenders to Johor police on April 24.

Kim Kim River is being accused of the current tragedy, according to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin. However, Johor Menteri Besar Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal subsequently stated that the occurrence is unrelated to the prior poisoning of Kim Kim River. As a precautionary measure, the Johor government orders the closure of 17 schools, 69 kindergartens and pre-schools, and a higher learning institute with a total of 20,108 children for four days.

The Ministry of Education declares that all schools and educational institutions will reopen on June 30. MESTECC declares on July 1st that the government would not accept any more proposals for the development of new chemical plants in Pasir Gudang. Yeo pledges legal action against individuals responsible for a social media post accusing her husband of being engaged in the second pollution incident. It is because Yeo's husband, Lee Yeow Seng, owns three chemical plants in Pasir Gudang, the post accused Putrajaya of being sluggish to react. Lee is the chairman and CEO of IOI Properties Group Bhd.

Dr Lee Boon Chye, Deputy Health Minister, later stated that there is no evidence that the hazardous contamination at Kim Kim River caused the 12-year-old myokymia. The youngster has had fits since he was four years old, as per Dr Lee. Besides, Dzulkefly explains that Marini Kasman, 38, died of heart failure instead of air pollution in Pasir Gudang. On the same day, Johor MB declares that the state government is creating a sustainable town development plan for Pasir Gudang as a long-term solution to the area's environmental contamination. The Department of Education (DoE) has announced that all 111 elementary and secondary schools in Pasir Gudang would be monitored for air quality 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd Ali
2112864

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WHICH SDG REFLECTS THE KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION ISSUE?

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WHICH SDG REFLECTS THE KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION ISSUE?

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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established as the overarching international development agenda at the United Nations in 2015, highlighting the mainstreaming of environmental issues. Since the 1970s, Malaysian environmental policies have progressed beyond tackling pollution to loftier goals of green growth. However, at the implementation level, we are still at the first barrier in resolving the most fundamental environmental protection issues. Only two of the 17 goals, goals three and six, are mainly concerned with the Kim Kim River pollution problem.

Goal 3 was implemented to ensure quality healthy lives and promote well-being for all of all ages. The deadly contamination in the Kim Kim River has harmed many people, particularly students who attend schools near the dumping site. As a result of inhaling the toxic fumes created by illegal chemical dumping, most victims report symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. As a result, nearby residents are evacuating and schools are closed. Meanwhile, goal 6 is implemented to ensure the availability and sustainability of the management of water and sanitation for all. The incident demonstrates that MESTECC took fast action in cleaning up the contaminated river of its chemical waste in less than a week. Water is a need in our everyday lives. As a result, they must quickly maintain the purity of the water source so that inhabitants may live normally with clean water sources and no air pollution.

It reflects the importance for everyone to take part in preserving the environment and keeping it from becoming polluted at the hands of selfish individuals. Everyone in the community is responsible for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age. As a result, encourage cleanliness in your daily life.

Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd Ali
2112864

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SOLUTION TO THE KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION

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SOLUTION TO THE KIM KIM RIVER TOXIC POLLUTION

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Chemical waste dumped into water sources by industries has been a very frequent environmental catastrophe in this globe. As a result, the water is dangerous to drink or use for cooking, bathing, or irrigation. Toxic chemicals are usually invisible and difficult to detect, whether they originate from industry or the earth itself. Thus, to ensure that water is free of toxic chemicals, pollution must be prevented at the source.

A long-term strategy has been formulated to solve the Kim Kim toxic pollution problem. The Task Force proposes that MESTECC execute the following suggestions from previous research, "A Study to Strengthen the Governance of Hazardous Chemicals in Malaysia," which would strengthen chemical governance by taking an integrated approach which is an integration of the Chemical Information Management System (CIMS) under Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKP) with the Notification and Registration System for Environmentally Hazardous Substances under Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS). Next, establishing a statutory body, such as a Chemicals Management Commission, to supervise chemical management.

Even though the Task Force eliminated Sungai Kim Kim pollution as a probable source of toxic chemicals, water governance remains an essential factor in keeping Pasir Gudang pollution to a minimum. As a result, the Task Force advises that the waterways of Pasir Gudang be managed as follows:

1. Since water bodies such as rivers and lakes/ponds/reservoirs are the source of water for either domestic, industrial, or agricultural use, the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) must be approached at the macro level, but implemented at the micro/field level, so that minor, major, and stormwater drains are seamlessly integrated with rivers flowing into the sea.

2. Macro-level integrated planning at the state or regional level should include all agencies, such as Badan Kawal Selia Air Negeri Johor (BAKAJ), Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang (MPPG), Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS), and Plan Malaysia, to collaborate on a single platform, such as in support of the Johor Sustainability Policy 2016. (Economic Planning Unit Johor, 2016).

3. Update the infrastructure requirements with current global technologies, such as implementing the circular economy and zero waste concepts.

4. Review the Johor Waters Enactment 1921 (Enactment 66) to clarify the requirement for an Integrated Water Resources Management system that focuses on all elements of water resource management and water services.

It is vital to gain lessons from environmental crises that emerge. Then we must take the required measures to overcome them. We must also acknowledge that harming nature serves no purpose. When nature fights back, we will be forced to deal with the repercussions, and as mere humans, we will be powerless to protect ourselves. Living in opposition to nature is pointless. We are a part of it and must learn to live in harmony with it.

Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd Ali
2112864

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Humans are indeed the caliphs of the Earth in Islam, according to Allah. The position is magnificent and honourable, but as Allah's caliph, we have several obligations, one of which is to safeguard the natural world. Thus, to safeguard the environment, we must first get an understanding of how it functions. Environmental knowledge that is scientific and technological in nature is essential, but so is spiritual and cultural awareness of the environment. In Islam, for example, there are six fundamental concepts about the environment that Muslims must comprehend. If we don't safeguard the environment, there will be more tragedies like the ones in Kim Kim River.

There are a few quranic verses that reflect this issue.

وَاِلٰى ثَمُوْدَ اَخَاهُمْ صٰلِحًا ۘ قَالَ يٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰهٍ غَيْرُهٗ ۗهُوَ اَنْشَاَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيْهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوْهُ ثُمَّ تُوْبُوْٓا اِلَيْهِ ۗاِنَّ رَبِّيْ قَرِيْبٌ مُّجِيْبٌ

Meaning: "And to the people of Thamûd We sent their brother Ṣâliḥ. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. He ˹is the One Who˺ produced you from the earth and settled you on it. So seek His forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. Surely my Lord is Ever Near, All-Responsive ˹to prayers˺.” [Surah Hud, 11:61]

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Meaning: "Mischief has appeared in the land and the sea because of what the hands of the mankind have earned, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return (turn to Allah)." [Surah ar-Rum, 30:41]

اِنَّ فِيْ خَلْقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِيْ تَجْرِيْ فِى الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَآ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ السَّمَاۤءِ مِنْ مَّاۤءٍ فَاَحْيَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيْهَا مِنْ كُلِّ دَاۤبَّةٍ ۖ وَّتَصْرِيْفِ الرِّيٰحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَاۤءِ وَالْاَرْضِ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ

Meaning: "Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day and the ships which sail through the sea with that profits men, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and scatters in it all kinds of moving creatures and in the veering of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the sky and the earth, there are Signs for a people who are mindful." [Surah al-Baqarah, 1:164]

In conclusion, the community should adhere to the rules outlined in the Quran in order to safeguard the purity of water and avoid water contamination.

Nurul Afifah Binti Mohd Ali
2112864