KELANTAN today refuted reports that 13 Orang Asli died from a mysterious disease.

Two individuals died of pneumonia as stated in the autopsy report, the state health department said in a statement. 

“The state health department would like to clarify the incident involving the Orang Asli Bateq tribe in Kuala Koh, Gua Musang.

“The reports claiming that 13 Orang Asli died from a mysterious disease are untrue. Two Orang Asli died because of lung infection (pneumonia). The cause of death was confirmed after an autopsy was conducted on the victims,” it said.

A medical team was despatched to the Orang Asli village and 29 individuals taken to clinics in Aring and Chiku 3, Gua Musang.

“From the 29, 13 were warded at Gua Musang Hospital, two critical ones were transferred to Kuala Krai Hospital, while the rest received outpatient treatment at the Aring 1 and Chiku 3 health clinics,” the statement added.

Yesterday, Gua Musang police chief Taufik Maidin also refuted reports that two Orang Asli from Kg Kuala Koh had died of a mysterious disease.

The police chief said both victims – a 30-year-old man who died on May 29 and a 21-year-old woman who died at 4pm on Friday – died because of viral infections in the lungs, which caused severe coughing.

Taufik also refuted allegations by the Orang Asli that there were 13 deaths, saying that police have, so far, only received two death reports. – June 9, 2019.