JOHOR BARU: A Johor lawmaker has proposed for the establishment of Johor Environment Corp to monitor environmental issues in the state.
Permas assemblyman Datuk Seri Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh said the corporation could be modelled after the ones in Sabah and Sarawak.
"The corporation would help monitor environmental issues in Johor. It would help the Department of Environment in protecting the environment," said Che Zakaria.
He said he submitted the proposal to Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian last week.
"He seemed to be receptive to the proposal and said he would discuss the matter in the exco meeting. I hope the proposal will be approved as soon as possible," said Che Zakaria.
He said the establishment of the corporation is important to prevent a repeat of the Sungai Kim Kim chemical dumping case, which affected the lives of thousands of people in the surrounding areas.
Che Zakaria was speaking at a press conference at his service centre in Taman Bukit Dahlia in Pasir Gudang here.
He said he is also looking to set up a toxic waste disposal plant in Tanjung Langsat with an investment from South Korea.
"We have identified an investor from South Korea on this project. I have discussed this with the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) and they have proposed a 100 acre (40.5 hectare) site in Tanjung Langsat for the plant.
"At the moment, the only toxic waste disposal plant is in Negri Sembilan. By having this plant here, it would reduce the cost for the factories and encourage them to dispose their toxic waste properly," said Che Zakaria.
He said he has also discussed with MPPG on the proposal to build a solid waste disposal facility here.
"This would help to solve the problem of solid waste disposal in Pasir Gudang, which is really bad," said Che Zakaria.