The Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is shocked that the government is not declaring an emergency in Pasir Gudang over the chemical waste pollution incident.

“Two thousand people affected but no need to declare an emergency. Wow... amazing.

“An emergency should have been declared on the first day itself and residents moved to another place until it can be ascertained that it is safe (for them to return),” he tweeted.

Tunku Ismail said the government should at least evacuate the people in the affected areas until the situation becomes stable and safe.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there is no need to declare an emergency as the situation was under control.

However, he reminded all quarters to exercise extra caution in view of the crisis not being over.

“No… it has not reached that stage (where an emergency has to be declared). There is no need for any evacuation, but we must be careful.

“(And) those mobilised to contain the situation must also be prepared to handle the problem,” he added after visiting victims of the crisis at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru.

Since the incident began on March 7, more than 1,000 people had sought treatment for various respiratory ailments with 397 people admitted to ordinary wards and 13 in the intensive care unit.

The Education Ministry has ordered that 111 schools in the area be shut down.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad denied claims that his ministry was slow to respond to the crisis.