PSM: Fed govt can't wash hands off 'chromium poisoning' in K'tan

The federal government is under fire for its alleged role in the suspected chromium poisoning of the Temiar indigenous community in Kampung Kelaik, Gua Musang, Kelantan. 

This is after a Malaysiakini report revealed high levels of chromium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, in the blood of one of six villagers who volunteered for testing.

For more than a decade, the community has protested against iron ore mining activities on their customary land, warning of environmental destruction and health risks to no avail, said PSM Environment, Climate Crisis & Orang Asli Bureau coordinator Suresh Balasubramaniam. 

“This problem is not only related to the approval of land in Orang Asli customary territories, under the state government. 

“It also involves the issuance of mining permits and the failure of monitoring mechanisms by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry under the federal government,” said Suresh (above), who has assisted the villagers on the issue.

Poisoning fears grip villagers 

In 2015, when the body of a respected community patriarch, Alang Angah, was found trapped among logs and shrubbery swept downriver during a flash flood, the villagers pointed to the mining operation upstream.

At the time, police had probed the matter and the case was closed without any charges.

Today, the blood test results have sparked a fear greater than the threat of a sudden flash flood - the terrifying possibility that the river might be poisoning the whole community, said Suresh.

READ MORE: Heavy metal found in Orang Asli blood, community fear poisoned by mining

The youngest of the six who volunteered to be tested, 19-year-old Azlan Ahak has a chromium level that puts his lifetime risk of developing cancer at an estimated 64,000 times higher than normal.

Chemical health assessor Vivien How stressed that the findings are red flags, warranting immediate investigation by relevant authorities due to their severe health implications.

Having reviewed the result of the blood tests and water sample test, she told Malaysiakini there is a likely link to the mining due to the relatively high level of chromium at one mine discharge point.

When asked about other potential sources of contamination, How said pesticides used in large-scale plantations in the vicinity of the village could “seep into the soil, contaminate the water, and further enhance environmental burdens”.

A medical doctor who examined the villagers also said the skin lesions the Orang Asli experienced were contact dermatitis, possibly caused by contact with the river.

The doctor, who declined to be named, added that her patients also complained of breathing and neurological difficulties for up to an hour after exiting the river.

Contacted by Malaysiakini, one of the two mines operating upstream, Redstar Capital Sdn Bhd, said it does not discharge wastewater or effluents into the river and follows all regulations.

This is despite Malaysiakini witnessing water coming out of Redstar Capital’s mining ponds into streams.

The other mine, Aqua Orion Sdn Bhd, has yet to respond to queries.

Failure of government 

Suresh held both the federal and the state governments accountable for failing to prevent the conditions that are suspected to have led to health issues in this community.

Their rivers turned a rusty red when mining activities began in the Temiar Orang Asli village in 2009 and, despite their protests, another mine was licensed and started operating in 2015.

The mines operating atop Bukit Tambun, upriver from their villages, are feared to be causing heavy metal contamination in rivers connected to the community.

“This is a failure of governance at every level. 

“The community has made countless efforts over the years, in every possible way, to voice their concerns to various authorities but have always been ignored. 

“Despite their limited capacity, manpower, and financial resources, they have persisted in bringing their issues to the attention of authorities,” he said.

READ MORE | Red rivers and death: Natives fight iron ore mining in Kelantan rainforest

In his statement, Suresh described how he has witnessed the community’s uphill struggle to safeguard their health, way of life, and customary lands since 2012, reaching out to several government agencies to no avail.

These efforts include lodging multiple police reports at various police stations and correspondence with the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

Following the death of Alang, and repeated failed attempts to meet the district officer, the villagers staged a sit-in protest at the Gua Musang Land and District Office in 2016.

The same year, seeking justice for Alang’s death, two memorandums were submitted to the Kelantan menteri besar at the time, Ahmad Yakob, who responded that he was unwell and that their complaints were being looked into.

Also in 2016, the community reached out to Suhakam with a memorandum requesting an inquiry into Alang’s death. 

Following the Malaysiakini report published on Tuesday, the Gua Musang Health Department has contacted the community to schedule blood sampling of villagers on Tuesday, Dec 17, and conduct health check-ups for the children.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad also said the ministry is investigating the suspected heavy metal poisoning.

When contacted, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said he is waiting for more information on the matter before responding. 

Meanwhile, environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has demanded an immediate halt to iron ore mining operations until the source of the chromium poisoning is discovered. 

The Department of Environment, the Department of Minerals and Geoscience, and Jakoa have yet to respond to Malaysiakini.

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