THE Kelantan government today denied claims that the spread of pneumonia among the Batek tribe of the Orang Asli community in Kg Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, was due to mining activities.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said reports from the Kelantan Health Department showed that pneumonia is an airborne disease, and not due to water. 

“So far, preliminary reports of pneumonia concerns difficulty breathing and are related to air and not water. It is too early to say the disease (spreading among Orang Asli) is due to mining activities,” he said after attending a meeting at the Kelantan menteri besar’s official residence at JKR 10, Kota Baru, today.

On whether the state government had approved any mining activities at the settlement, Amar, who is also state Public Administration, Regional Development, People’s Well-being and Integrity Committee chairman, said the state government was checking with the Lands and Mines Department.

Amar also evaded a question on whether any illegal mining activities were taking place in the area.

“The department is responsible as it has an enforcement division, so any questions must be referred to it. I am not able to answer, as I need to get information from the department first,” he said.

Reports had suggested that several deaths reported in Kg Kuala Koh recently are due to the contamination of water sources.

Amar also said the state government had taken several measures, including cooperating with all agencies involved, to check the problem.

“We cannot interfere in the field of other agencies just like that because everyone has their respective tasks, so we move according to our given duties.

“We are cooperating fully with the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) in all fields. But Jakoa must lead this action as it was established to take care of the Orang Asli’s welfare,” he said. – Bernama, June 10, 2019.