The Sg Kim Kim incident has led to legal action being taken by Counsel representing some 160 victims of the pollution linked to an illegal tyre pyrolysis operation. The state government and the Johor Menteri Besar are among 11 defendants expected to be named in a lawsuit to be filed by the Sungai Kim Kim Toxic Gas Victims and Pollution Action Committee at the Johor Baru High Court on July 17.
Malaysia’s Johor Govt to be Named in Litigation
Counsel representing the victims, Kamarudin Ahmad, said other parties to be named in the suit included state health committee chairman, the Environment Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council.
Among the compensation sought in the suit includes RM5 million in general damages for Irfan Wafi Idham Wazir, 12, who suffered myokymia after he was believed to have been exposed to the toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim. (Though other reports debunk this link).
“We have electromyography (EMG) and medical report prepared by a specialist who treated Irfan that showed he is suffering from myokymia. The medical specialist also believes the boy suffered from myokymia after he was exposed to toxic chemicals from the Sungai Kim Kim pollution.
“We are also seeking special damages between RM4,000 and RM5,000 for every plaintiff as well as general damages, the amount which would be determined by the court if necessary.
“We will file the suit against parties that have been identified to be responsible for the pollution including the state government, menteri besar, the Irrigation and Drainage Department and the factory,” he told a press conference here today.
Kamarudin said the 34 students affected by the pollution are from SMK Tanjung Puteri Resort and SMK Pasir Puteh.
“We believe there are at least 1,000 people who were victims of such pollution,” he said, adding that there was no other law firm which was prepared to file a lawsuit on behalf of the victims.
