Photo: Sinar Harian
KUALA LUMPUR: A special select Parliamentary committee hearing on severe river contamination near an Orang Asli village in Kelantan will be held in October.
The affected village - Kampung Kelaik in Gua Musang - drew headlines after significant levels of heavy metals were reported in villagers’ blood in December last year.
Villagers believe abnormal levels of heavy metals such as chromium were caused by excessive nearby iron ore mining that turned rivers red and tainted food and water.
Khoo Poay Tiong (Pakatan–Kota Melaka) said the hearing will be conducted by the Special Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development with relevant ministries present.
“Relevant ministries like the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and the Health Ministry will present plans to resolve the issue,” he said on Wednesday (Aug 13).
“They will also present any initial findings on the state of contamination and its impact on the people,” he said.
“It is our responsibility as representatives to raise this issue affecting the Orang Asli in Parliament in the next session,” he added.
