THE Terengganu government has initiated a probe into the claims that six tourists suffered water poisoning while on holiday on Pulau Perhentian Kecil in Besut.

State Tourism, Culture and Digital Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said the departments involved had been instructed to take samples of the water as well as to follow up on the issue.

“The state government views the matter seriously, especially when it comes to the safety of tourists, and if the allegations are found to be true, it will certainly give a negative image of the state’s tourism industry,” he said in a statement today.

He said it would affect the confidence of tourists visiting the resort islands of Terengganu.

However, Ariffin said health authorities had yet to receive a report of the Besut case.

He said current data also did not show reports of food poisoning occurring on Pulau Perhentian.

On Saturday, a news portal reported that six friends claimed they suffered poisoning after swimming in waters believed to be contaminated with untreated sewage on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

The tourists said they vomited in the evening after the swim. They were on a two-night trip to the famous island. – Bernama, June 6, 2022.