JOHOR BARU: A group of Pasir Gudang residents affected by the Sungai Kim Kim chemical dumping incident will file a civil suit against the authorities and factories involved.
The group is claiming negligence and will name the Johor state government, the Department of Environment, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and the factories involved as defendants.
Counsel Kamarudin Ahmad, who is representing the group, said they were claiming damages as the incident had caused them to suffer health issues.
"Due to the incident, the residents suffered from symptoms like breathing difficulties and vomiting. One family claimed that their child suffered nerve damage and could not walk.
"We are also worried about the long term effect of the incident on the residents," said Kamarudin.
He was speaking to the media after accompanying several residents to lodge police reports on the matter at the Seri Alam district police headquarters in Pasir Gudang here.
Kamarudin said at the moment there about 120 residents in the group.
"We plan to file the suit in early June. By that time, I expect the number to increase because currently many affected residents do not know their rights or where to turn to for assistance.
"We are still gathering information on the case, including the health report of the affected residents," said Kamarudin, adding that he was told that there was another group of residents who were planning to file a similar legal action.
The dumping of the chemical substances on March 7 caused 5,848 people to seek medical treatment after inhaling toxic fumes wafting from the river.
The last victim was released from hospital on March 25.
A used tyre processing factory and two of its directors were charged at the Sessions Court with 15 offences under two environmental regulations.