SHAH ALAM, 22 June: The Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, warned all parties to not make statements without scientific support regarding the issue of using water from former mining ponds to avoid any speculation.
He said that any public statement or opinion should be based on studies by professional bodies to prevent misunderstanding and confusion, especially among the people.
He was responding to allegations by the Member of Parliament for Klang, Charles Santiago, that the content of toxic metals in the ponds is dangerous to the consumers during dry seasons.
“The State Government thinks that this statement should be supported by scientific and professional research. Perhaps he (Charles) feels that the experts in Malaysia, including the doctors at the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the Department of Chemistry of Malaysia (JKM) have not reached the level that they should be at (does not meet standards).
“We cannot make statements without scientific support because otherwise, it is considered as speculating. The public can do so, but the government cannot.
“We should give them a chance because the efforts of certain parties are basically to ensure that the people receive authentic information, but do not use it for cheap publicity,” he said during a press conference after launching the Art Site 7 in Section 7.
Abdul Khalid said that they had conducted scientific research first and that he places his full trust in the State Executive Councillor, Dr Ahmad Yunus, to monitor Selangor’s efforts of using water from former mines as a responsible State Government.
At the same time, he also informed that he has directed Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) to call the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Selangor, including several experts from neighbouring countries to conduct research on the use of water from the former mines.
He said further announcements regarding the matter will be disclosed in two weeks, after research from external experts are completed.
“We will ask for help from WHO and Singapore to provide information because their water is a result of many chemicals and they can evaluate the matter.
“Many political friends do not like to be examined by Singapore, but we consider this as a professional effort that must be done,” he added.
The Malaysia Kini portal reported that Charles claimed that the test by the Selangor Government may show that the use of water from former mining ponds to address the shortage of water in the state is safe, but it is different when it is the dry season.
He explained that the content of toxic metals in the pond may be at a safe level in normal circumstances, indicating that it is safe to consume.
However, he said, the concentration ratio of metals is harmful and may no longer be at a safe level during the dry season.
NS
