Four rivers in Kuantan are now heavily polluted with mercury, said a Department of Environment (DOE) report revealed by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh.

The report, which was based on inspections on Aug 24 and 25 on the Riau, Mabok, Pinang and Pengorak rivers showed that levels of mercury were now at class 5.

"Drinking water is supposed to be class 2. Class 5 water, you can't even touch it; it is worse than irrigation water.

"Even a drop of it will make you sick," Fuziah said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby today.

She also warned that this issue could have nationwide effects, as fish from Kuantan are exported to other states.

"We are a fishing state. Fish from Kuantan is eaten in Kuala Lumpur," she noted.

Mercury poisoning can cause death, damage to the brain, kidneys and lungs, and diseases such as including acrodynia (pink disease), Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.

Fuziah believes the contamination may be due in part to pollution caused by bauxite mining in the area.

As such she hoped the government will put a stop to bauxite mining in Kuantan, and take action against the miners.

"The report came out in August, the (Environment and Natural Resources) minister (Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar) knows this but why is he not taking action?" Fuziah asked.

The Kuantan MP expressed fear that people may take the law into their own hands if the government doesn't, adding that villagers have already torched at least four mining lorries.

"And this is just over dust, noise, and potholes," she said.

According to an Aug 5 Nanyang Siang Pau report, Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob had ordered the state authorities to monitor all bauxite mining activities.

Nanyang also reported on Aug 12 that around 200 contractors and settlers demanded that the government approve bauxite mining licenses which they had applied for promising that they will follow all the related rules.