PASIR GUDANG: Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir, 12, who is suffering from myokymia, believed to have been caused by the Sungai Kim Kim pollution, has no known history of similar illnesses.
His father, Idham Wazir A. Wahab, 49, said his son was an active boy prior to the incident in March.
“My son was never ill before this. He used to be active but now he has lost confidence. He used to enjoy swimming, but now he cannot do it.
“Sometimes, when he’s alone, he would hit his legs and ask me why he has to endure such pain. It breaks my heart,’ he said at Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia’s meeting with Pasir Gudang residents here yesterday.
He said apart from his son’s health, he was also worried about his progress in school.
“My son does not have seizures. The doctor gave him medication for his condition. However, they make him drowsy. How can he prepare for his Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examination?”
Idham said his son had been on medication for the past three months, but his condition had not improved.
The boy’s mother, Norlela Abu Hashim, 45, said her family would file a suit against those responsible for the Sungai Kim Kim incident.
She said the suit was to seek justice and safeguard her son’s future.
“We will file a suit against those involved, especially the management of the factory which disposed of toxic waste that affected people’s health.”
She said many suffered because of the incident.
“We will let our lawyers handle this.
On Thursday, Johor Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said he would meet the boy’s parents.
Myokymia is a type of ailment which causes several parts of the body to tremble.
Irfan, the fourth of five siblings and a pupil of SK Taman Bukit Dahlia,was admitted to Sultan Ismail Hospital (SIH) following the March incident.
Specialists at SIH had carried out examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging,to determine the cause of his trembles.
Irfan’s case was referred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he was diagnosed with myokymia as a result of inhaling poisonous gases.
Idham,who quit his job as an engineer because he had to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Johor for treatment,said the state authorities had not provided any aid to Irfan and his family.