A SOCIAL media rumour claiming a woman in Pasir Gudang had died as a result of the recent pollution crisis was dismissed by Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today.

According to Dzulkefly, the woman Marini Kasman, 38, died from heart failure, having suffered from chronic high blood pressure over the past 10 years.

“We have been informed that the deceased was rushed to Hospital Sultan Ismail in Johor Baru after suffering from symptoms such as breathing difficulties, coughing, swollen feet and fever.”

“She was admitted and diagnosed in an acute state, whereby her blood pressure and sense of breathlessness were quite high,” he said in a statement today.

He said clinical records and test results showed that Marini, from Masai, Johor, had succumbed to heart failure due to complications from chronic illness.

According to hospital records, the deceased did not seek treatment during the Sg Kim Kim incident which saw hundreds of people falling ill.

He added that despite the medical team’s efforts to treat Marini, her condition deteriorated and she died at 4.20am yesterday.

Dzulkefly said the Ministry of Health was also ready to meet Marini’s family to explain the cause of death.

The minister reiterated a warning not to spread false information, while adding that the public should be respectful of Marini and her family.

A post claiming the death of Marini was due to breathing complications linked to the toxic fumes pollution has gone viral on social media.

According to the post, she died while receiving medical treatment due to the lack of oxygen in her bloodstream. – July 7, 2019.