Omani citizens and students in Malaysia have been warned to stay away from the state of Johor, the Sultanate’s embassy in Kula Lumpur has announced.

Authorities have asked students and residents to stay away from the area of Pasir Gudang in particular, which is located in south of the Malay peninsula.

“The Sultanate of Oman’s Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has asked the Omani citizens residing in Malaysia to exercise caution and not to travel to the state of Johor in general and the Pasir Gudang area in particular,” the embassy said in a statement.

2,700 ill

What started out as an isolated incident of illegally dumping chemicals into a Johor river has escalated into a wave of methane poisoning cases, with more than 2,700 people taken ill.

The Malaysian education ministry was forced to close all 111 schools in Pasir Gudang, while the federal parliament debated a motion on whether to declare a state of emergency, only to later decide against it.

111 schools shut down

A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in Johor’s Pasir Gudang industrial town last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.

More than 900 people, many of them school pupils, have received medical treatment after inhaling the fumes, with over 160 admitted to hospital, the Malay Mail reported, citing the Health Ministry. All 111 schools in the district were ordered to close by the Education Ministry on Wednesday.

It was unclear what type of poisonous gas had been emitted near Pasir Gudang. Education Minister Maszlee Malik initially ordered the closure of 43 schools in the area on Wednesday, but later announced that figure had more than doubled.

“The Ministry of Education has decided to close all 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang area immediately,” he said in a statement.

“The Education Ministry is requesting that all parties take precautions.”

Three men were arrested earlier this week over the toxic waste dumping. One is expected to be charged in court soon and could face up to five years in jail if found guilty of breaking environmental protection laws.

Disaster Emergency

Speaking to Malay Mail, civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan explained that it would likely be a “disaster emergency” rather than a Proclamation of Emergency as stipulated in Article 150 of the Federal Constitution that would result in a curfew.

“This is a different sort of emergency than the one provided for under the Constitution. It is a ‘disaster emergency’ where the State is not given extra powers or authority,” said Syahredzan, who is also political secretary to Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang.

Syahredzan said a “disaster emergency” can be declared under National Security Council’s Directive No. 20 to coordinate federal agencies’ handling of the situation on the ground.

The directive — which handles the policy and mechanism of national disaster management and relief — outlines the role of the government agencies, lawmakers, private parties and volunteering bodies that are present throughout the disaster, he said.

He added that in the case of a disaster emergency, these measures would be taken to ensure resources can be directed efficiently and effectively, so the disaster can be swiftly resolved.

Local media have reported the waste was a type of oil commonly used to lubricate ship’s engines which emitted methane and benzene fumes. Up to 40 tonnes of the toxic substance is believed to have been tipped into the river.

Three men have been arrested over the dumping of the waste and face up to five years in jail if convicted of breaking environmental protection laws.