CLAIMS that the illegal carbon-filter processing factory in Sungai Lembu had caused cancer among nearby residents cannot be proven.

Penang health exco Dr Afif Bahardin said such claims were “propaganda used with bad intention”.

“What they have shown is nothing representative of medical statistics of cancer patients,” he said today.

Barisan Nasional had earlier attacked the Penang government over its inaction on the factory, which Kampung Sungai Lembu resident said caused air pollution.

BN had cited reports that the cancer rate at the village – 11 out of 500 people – translated to a cancer incidence rate of 2,200 victims in 100,000 people, or 2,342% higher than the national average. 

The state government today revealed the minutes from a multi-agency meeting on the Seberang Prai Tengah district in 2015, which showed that the district health office had received a list of 12 cancer patients from the village and had investigated whether the factory was the cause.

Four suffered from breast cancer, while two suffered from gastrointestinal cancer. There were two lung cancer cases, and two liver cancer cases. One suffered from Nasopharyngeal cancer.

The last person was found to have high blood pressure, not cancer.

“Two of the breast cancer sufferers are sisters. The cancer patients are aged between 41 and 85, with most  above 50. Most cancer cases occur with age. Risks for all cancer types are also on the rise for people age 45 and above. 

“But none of the patients from Sungai Lembu worked at the illegal factory. The location of the factory is also in a secluded area, off the main route used by the residents.

“Therefore, it cannot be ascertained that the factory contributed to the cancer risk,” the health department replied as stated in the minutes.

Dr Afif said the report by the Health Department from 2015 was still valid.

The illegal factory located in an oil palm estate in Sungai Lembu, Penanti, had been operating for over 10 years, burning sawdust in pits to make carbon.

It was reported that residents had been complaining about the factory since 2008.

On August 10, the factory was raided by federal authorities. The following day, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Penang exco Phee Boon Poh and the factory’s manager and director. They were released from custody on August 14. 

The MACC is investigating Phee for allegedly using his position for gratification. The state government has slammed the probe as a political attack.

Phee today said he regretted that BN-controlled media and Chinese dailies did not give his explanation on the issue the same prominence as his “illegal detention” by MACC.

Yesterday, the state government disclosed the minutes of another meeting called in May 2015 to discuss the illegal factory issue. The Department of Environment (DoE) reported in that meeting that it did not find the factory causing pollution.

Phee said he would continue to communicate with the Sungai Lembu village security and development (JKKK) committee leaders directly, avoiding the use of intermediaries to prevent misunderstanding. 

“We will work together to comply with the policies established by the state government and guidelines by the various technical departments,” he said.

Sungai Lembu JKKK chairman Tan Sing Lee and Yeo Keng Chuan, who were present, said they were grateful that the state never turned its back on the people when complaints were raised.

Tan also said the state government had promised them help, should they ran into legal problems over the factory issue.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng  said Penang was consistent in its stand regarding environmental concerns.

“We recognise the DoE as the expert body and its recommendations on environmental matters. But when dealing with radioactive materials, our policy is to reject even if the department says they are safe.

“It is because more advanced nations like Germany and Japan are shutting down nuclear plants due to safety concerns. So, in Penang, no matter what safeguards are guaranteed, our policy is not to accept any activity that deals with radioactive materials,” he said.

Lim said this in response to claims by some BN leaders that Penang was practising double standards when dealing with the Sungai Lembu factory issue, compared with the opposition’s rejection of the Lynas rare earth plant in Pahang and the federal government’s proposed nuclear plant projects. – August 23, 2017.