JOHOR BARU: The High Court here was told that a teenage victim of the Sungai Kim Kim toxic waste pollution incident is suffering from myokymia which cannot be cured.
Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir, 16, has been suffering from the condition since the incident almost five years ago.
Myokymia is a disease that causes certain parts of the body to tremble and be in a weak state. It may require a sufferer to rely on a cane, among other things.
Irfan Wafiy's father, Idham Wazir A Wahab, 53, who was representing his son in court today, said his son's legs are constantly trembling and they will experience seizures.
Idham Wazir, who is the first plaintiff witness, said this in response to lawyer Walter Pereira during the trial of the civil suit for toxic waste pollution in Sungai Kim Kim at the High Court here today.
Lawyer: Can you explain Irfan Wafiy's current condition?
Idham Wazir: Currently, Irfan is studying at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Johor Baru in Seri Alam. He has just finished his exams and achieved 4As. His health has not yet improved. His legs still tremble, and when he is unwell, his legs will tremble 'non-stop' and he often has muscle spasms.
However, Alhamdulillah, he can now pray without using a chair. He is able to perform his prayers like anyone else. However, the disease persists. It's not yet cured. The last treatment he underwent was before the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Lawyer: Has the doctor provided any information about the treatment for your son's condition?
Idham Wazir: Until now, there has been no more calls from the doctor. There is no follow-up from Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further treatment. The doctor (who treated Irfan Wafiy) has retired.
Lawyer: Is there any indication from the hospital about when Irfan Wafiy might recover?
Idham Wazir: The specialist doctor who treated my son told me that there is no cure for this disease, and there is no record of this disease in Malaysia. The medication given by the doctor is based on 'trial and error,' relying on cases overseas.
However, the medication is unsuitable for my son. When my son takes the medicine, he will sleep. As a student, he does not want to sleep.
The first day of the civil suit trial took place before Judge Datuk Seri Samsulbahri Ibrahim today.
The court set the trial to resume on June 2; Aug 18 and 19; and on Oct 14 and 15.
Idham Wazir, along with 41 other plaintiffs in the case, are represented by lawyers Datuk Kamaruddin Ahmad, Walter Pereira, and Radiah Karim.
Federal Counsel Mohamed Azzam Zainal Abidin, who is also the Deputy State Legal Advisor, represented the Johor government, Menteri Besar and the former state executive council member in charge of environmental matters.
Senior Federal Counsel Zetty Zurina Kamaruddin, Nurul Farhana Khalid and Safiyah Omar represented the director of environment from the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Malaysian government.
Meanwhile, P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd, its two directors, and a lorry driver, N. Maridass, were represented by Phang Soon Mun, Chew Chun Wei, and Yvonne Chai.
An action committee for victims of the toxic gas incident in Sungai Kim Kim and the families of these victims are seeking compensation of RM30 million from the 12 defendants, including the Johor government and menteri besar.
The compensation involves general and special damages, as well as damages related to the claim against Irfan Wafiy, the most severely affected victim, who is currently suffering from myokimia, which caused disruption to his nerves and requires him to rely on a cane, due to the effects of toxic waste pollution incident that happened in March 2019.
Other defendants in the case are the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), and P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd, the company responsible for disposing the toxic waste.