THE current saga of the Orang Asli community from the Bateq tribe in Kg Kuala Koh, Gua Musang portrays a case of indifference on the part of the state government, inappropriate statements by ministers, and the plight of an indigenous group that has long been sidelined.

Since the news of the deaths was reported, 14 people have been confirmed dead within a month while 112 have been hospitalised under intensive care or placed in normal wards and outpatient treatment. Now, nearly two weeks in, the cause of the deaths is deemed as “mysterious”.

Over the last three days, there has been an attempt to put blame on measles as the cause of the deaths of the Bateq tribe. Measles, at most, produce runny nose, cough and fever symptoms, besides the eruptions. The acute disease is self-limiting and usually lasts about a week. However, those who died and were hospitalised had severe breathing difficulties.

It was widely suspected by the affected Orang Asli tribe and others that the source of drinking water from a pond contaminated from the runoff of a nearby iron ore mine had caused the deaths and ailments of those in the community. Initial report pinpointed that the deaths were due to pneumonia and Health Minister Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad was quick to say that the cause was infection and not due to any oral route.

Health officials from federal authorities had scrambled to the scene and taken water samples. Chemistry test results showed no manganese contamination as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, but nothing was mentioned if there was other heavy metals contamination, as is often the case with the mining of iron.

With heavy downpours, and with the iron mining activities stopped, heavy metals contamination in the water source could have been diluted and evidence undetected. Blood samples of those hospitalised to test for liver and kidney functions could easily corroborate the findings that the cause of the deaths and ailments was not due to the oral route. Hopefully, that was conducted.

Even if pneumonia was link to the deaths, the etiology could have been traced much further and may not have begun and ended with infection as the cause, as what the learned health minister had implied. Epidemiological studies in other parts of the world have shown that respiratory diseases are common in iron mining areas. The ore dust consisting of iron oxide and silica are hazards that contribute to toxicological properties.

Pneumoconiosis is a general term used to describe lung diseases caused by inhaling airborne mining dust. It leads to inflammation of the lungs with congestion, or pneumonia, which often results in bacterial infection. The bacteria come as a result of the inflammation and not as the cause. The inflammation leads to fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, and subsequently congestive heart failure and death. The major symptoms throughout are severe debility and difficulty breathing.

Some of the Bateq Orang Asli folks in Kg Kuala Koh had previously worked in the iron mine. The tribe members including the children were free to roam in the surrounding area of the mine and exposed to the hazards of the mining dust. If the water contamination route as the cause of death is confirmed negative, then the plausibility is explained through congestive heart failure secondary to pneumoconiosis as the cause of death. This possibility has to be further investigated.

Giving an impression that the cause of death is “mysterious”, unknown, or even by evil spirit is irresponsible and suggests incompetence. The clues surrounding the disease are glaring. There are also implications of future claims towards the operator of the iron mine and ministers do not want to be caught in the awkward situation for any inappropriate statements.

But the outrageousness in this episode is the indifferent attitude shown by the Kelantan state government. Not only was it slow in response to the calamity, the Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah expressed ignorance of the existence of the mining area even though mining licence was already given until 2023 by the state government

Time and again we have witnessed that the Orang Asli people have been neglected. They are economically marginalised, lack political representation, lack access to infrastructure and social services, lack the basic life’s essentials and comfort, are discriminated upon, and are often malnourished.

In this saga of the Kg Kuala Koh Bateq tribe, there is indication of them being exploited. It appears that the government did not even care if they existed, or if they lived or died.

Perhaps, as someone remarked in the social media after the deaths of the Bateq tribe was made known, “It is the way the Orang Asli people die”, that reflected a total indifference and lack of compassion towards a forgotten community. How sad. – June 20, 2019.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.