The Sultan of Johor has declared the state's second case of chemical pollution a "total disgrace".

Speaking to The Star in an interview published on June 28, Ibrahim Iskandar said that he would be summoning leaders of various state and federal bodies to account for the incidents.

"We were assured that all was all right and we heard the politicians and officials issuing us assurances but barely three months later, the people of Johor are faced with this issue again," he said.

"This is despicable and a total disgrace."

Flaws and weaknesses in the system

The Sultan added that the latest incident had revealed "complete flaws and weaknesses, if not incompetence" in the state and federal disaster management systems.

The latest case of chemical poisoning took place in Pasir Gudang and has seen more than 700 people seeking medical treatment, according to CNA.

On Tuesday, June 25, all schools in the area were ordered to close.

This came after another incident of chemical poisoning earlier this year that affected more than 2,700 people.

Described by The Star as being visibly upset, Ibrahim said that while the poisoning came from different sources, it was hard to accept that two pollution-related incidents could happen in the same place within three months.

“I do not want to be hoodwinked again and again by empty assurances," he said, referring to promises he had received that similar incidents would not happen again.

The Sultan also criticised statements made by officials saying: "We have conflicting statements from a minister who first affirmed that the latest incident was related to the earlier case in Sungai Kim Kim but later denied it."

Concern for health

"These are very confusing and conflicting statements to me, as they should be speaking authoritatively on such an important matter," he said.

Furthermore, Ibrahim said that he would propose that Johor "get rid of or relocate" industries that negatively impacted the environment.

He believed that they "endangered not just the people of Johor but also Singaporeans".

He also noted that his concern are not with the economic benefits of housing such industries, but rather the health of the people of Johor.

"That is far more important," he said.

"I don’t want the politicians, whether state or federal, to tell me about the economic impact. Please stop these."

Schools reopened

Meanwhile, schools in Pasir Gudang reopened on Sunday, June 30.

However, Bernama reported that students and teachers suffered from breathing problems within hours of returning.

A total of 27 students and three teachers from 15 different schools have since been referred to medical services after exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and dizziness.

This was confirmed by Johor Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar who said that in total at least 130 students experienced breathing difficulty and nausea, though not all required medical attention.

He also said that schools would remain open.

Top image from Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook Page