KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor state government may be in for a legal tussle against a Pakatan Rakyat colleague if they refuse to reveal the findings involving the existence of heavy metal content in water from former mining pools in Bestari Jaya.
Klang MP Charles Santiago (pix) said studies by Universiti Malaya (UM) in the past few years show that the pools contained dangerous levels of heavy metal and is not safe for use.
The state government had utilised water from former mining pools to supplement raw water supply during the dry season in March this year and insisted that it had been tested and is safe for use. Santiago, however, pointed out that the water was tested for rat poisoning, and not heavy metal.
He demanded that the test results be released to refute UM's findings or he will take the state government to court.
“I have repeatedly urged the state to make the test results public, but they have repeated the same mantra, that the water was tested negative.
“Then are you saying that the academics had wasted their time doing the numerous tests and that their test results are flawed?” Santiago said.
He reiterated that the academics at UM have consistently reported contamination in the ex-mining catchment pond there.
Similarly, the Health Ministry had asked the Selangor government to not use the water from the ex-mining pool.
“In fact, the UM analysis demonstrated that the heavy metal concentration in these ponds exceed the permissible limits set by the Malaysian National Water Quality Standards,” Santiago told reporters in Parliament today.
He added that the study involved 15 sampling stations, which also showed high levels of heavy metal concentration in the water, soil, plants and fish.
“The heavy metals mentioned in the study include arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, zinc and tin.
“This water, if consumed, can lead to cancer, kidney disease, neurotic disorder, anaemia, lung scarring, diabetes and so on,” he added.
He said he is doing this in the interest of the people and the spirit of transparency and good governance.
“If this fails to get the attention of the state government, I will be left with no choice but to seek legal redress,” Santiago said.
Karen Arukesamy, The Sun
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