Eatery operators bemoan poor business after chemical pollution incident

JOHOR BAHRU, March 14 (Bernama) -- Eatery operators around Taman Pasir Putih, near here, are concerned about poor business experienced for about a week now, following the pollution incident where chemical waste was dumped into Sungai Kim Kim.

Most eateries were closed and those which were open for business today, had only a few customers.

Amira Mansor, 22, who runs a restaurant, said there was a 50 per cent drop in the number of customers since the first day of the incident on March 7.

"Although there were fewer customers, I continued to operate until I was told by the authorities to close the premises,” she told Bernama, here.

Amira, whose house is near Sungai Kim Kim, said she felt dizzy and nauseous on the morning of the incident.

"I could smell chemicals at about 3am while I was preparing to cook, but the effects of the pollution are lesser now, although I still feel a little dizzy,” she said.

Sharing the same experience was another eatery operator who wanted to be known as Kak Yah. 

She said she was worried that her family’s source of income would be affected should the current situation continue.

"I only rely on (the takings of) my restaurant to support my family and hope that the chemical waste pollution is resolved soon," she said.

Up to 8 last night, 947 people were hospitalised and 111 schools in Pasir Gudang ordered to be closed yesterday.

-- BERNAMA