Where Is The Crisis Management Team

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YOU may call it a disaster in Pasir Gudang, Johor. The pollution at Sungai Kim-Kim has not only forced the closure of 111 schools but also forced the residents to flee. Besides affecting thousands of school children who are sitting for the first term examination - many of them being hospitalised for toxic contamination - it really puts the atmosphere to hazard.

The dumping of toxic waste is believed to have taken place years after the factory was built. No need to question why it is located in the area because with proper supervision, things like this could be avoided.

I am questioning the level of awareness in attending to the crisis. Where is the crisis management team (CMT) both for the local council and environment authority in charge of the disaster? Why was the state government and the Education Ministry taking their sweet time before it went out of control?

CMT is the core essence of any ministry and local council. Any delay in attending to disasters like this will certainly lead to more people getting suffocated by the toxic gas, and at any time may see casualties rising to beyond comprehension.

It was almost a day when action was taken. The Education Ministry which closed some schools at the beginning of the disaster even reopen it before waiting for situation to come under control pending reports from the various authorities.

From just a few schools, it went up to 33 and 111 finally. Should we wait for some deaths to occur before a SOP is applied in all safety measures?

And what about the residents and workers in the surrounding area? The magnitude of the tragedy is something not to be taken up lightly. While the factory owner is being sought, the respective authorities should well take it as a lesson that complacency does not pay.

The country has never experienced anything like Chernobyl or Bhopal but incidents like this can happen anytime. Our level or alertness must always be high or it will blow in our own faces.

CMT, again should be set up at all agencies. The Education Ministry too, and other ministries which are human-related-safety too.

If it had happened today, it may recur tomorrow!

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