THE oil spill from a sunken ship off the southern coast of Penang island yesterday is under control and will not affect Perak waters, the Perak government said today.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the marine department’s report on the situation this morning showed there was no threat to Tanjung Piandang north of the state where there are fish and prawn farms.

“So far, there is no risk of the oil spill affecting the northern Perak waters near Tanjung Piandang.

“But the marine department will continue to monitor the situation and inform the state government if there is any risk. 

“For now, there is nothing to worry about. I ask the people to go to the relevant authorities for the latest information on the situation,” he said in a press conference after chairing a Perak Water Board meeting. 

Faizal said the relevant agencies were monitoring the situation. 

Yesterday morning, Hong Kong-registered ship Xin Yi Yi sank off Teluk Kumbar in Penang after colliding with a shipwreck.

The Star reported that the incident had caused tonnes of fuel to be spilled into the sea that could threaten fish and shrimp farms on the northern coast of Perak. 

There are dozens of shrimp and fish farms in dugout ponds near the shore of Tanjung Piandang, about 20km from the site of the oil spill.

The possibility of damage to the Perak northern coast and waters had put the state on high alert.  – July 27, 2018.