The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) today refuted the allegation that there exists a new species of catfish in rivers polluted by uncontrolled bauxite mining activity.

Its chairperson, Irmohizam Ibrahim, said the allegation that there exists a new species of catfish called the Bauxite Catfish was untrue as it was actually an ornamental fish known as the golden cave catfish ( clarias cavernicola ) originating from the Namibian waters.

"The fish were brought into the country by ornamental fish exporters and they were probably released accidentally into public waterways.

"The story and picture of the fish was once reported in Saratok, Sarawak, in November 2014," he told Bernama when contacted.

Meanwhile, Pahang LKIM director Yahya Mohamad, when contacted, also refuted the allegation, which quoted a source from LKIM, saying that it was false information and the existence of the fish had nothing to do with bauxite mining activities.

The allegation concerning the fish went viral on social media following uncontrolled bauxite mining activities which had also caused river pollution in the district.

- Bernama