PUTRAJAYA: The incident involving 15 students from Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar in Pasir Gudang, who suffered breathing difficulties and vomiting, is possibility caused by poisonous gas, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Speaking at a press conference at his ministry here today, he said the Health Ministry was aware of the incident and would closely monitor the situation, adding that ‘everything is under control’.
“The symptoms look like a possibility of poisonous gas or those volatile organic gas volatile compound ... just like the Sungai Kim Kim’s incident,“ he said, adding that the ministry had been in touch with Johor Health Department director Dr Selahudden Abd Aziz on the matter.
Asked if there would be any announcement on school closure, Dzulkefly said it was a bit too early to decide or say anything.
“I’m going to see the information ... kind of toxicity ... and all those like level of exposure and toxicity needs to be looked into.
“What is important is our Jabatan Kesihatan Negri Johor is working very diligently. They have been alerted and they are on the ground addressing this,“ he said.
In March, the toxic pollution of Sungai Kim Kim resulted in over 4,000 people falling ill and led to the closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang district. — Bernama
