ORANG ASLI TO MEET DPM AGAIN
They will discuss the deaths of 15 Bateq tribesmen
SEVERAL Orang Asli from Kuala Koh will have another meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to discuss the deaths of 15 people from the Bateq tribe.
The Bateq’s representative, Mohd Fadzli Mamok, said the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow and would involve three other Orang Asli representatives.
“We were informed that the deputy prime minister wants to meet us following our first visit last week. This is good news for us. It shows that the country’s No. 2 leader was listening to our problems. It would make our 400km journey worthwhile,” he said at the Hari Raya open house organised by the Kelantan Religious and Malay Customs Council in Felda Aring 5 here.
Fadzli said the group had expressed doubts about the cause
of death of the 15 Bateq tribesmen at last week’s meeting.
“In the one-hour meeting with Dr Wan Azizah, we told her three or four people died on the same day in the same village. We were not happy with the Health Ministry’s statement confirming that the deaths were due to measles,” he said.
He said the Bateq tribe believed the deaths were due to contaminated water in the rivers.
“We were informed that samples were taken from Sungai Lebir three weeks after the dry season hit the state, which is not the right time to take samples.
“They should have taken samples from Sungai Balai because it is the main water source for the Orang Asli in Kuala Koh,” he said.
In Putrajaya, Dr Wan Azizah said reports indicated that the situation in Kampung Kuala Koh had returned to normal.
“I received reports that the Orang Asli (who were hospitalised) have recovered and resumed their activities.”
She said tests on the Bateq tribe settlement’s water supply showed no signs of foul play.
She said despite proof that the water supply was not contaminated, there was a need to provide better quality and treated water to the community.
“We have asked the ministries to look into this.”