Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor (above) has expressed his frustration with the way ministers answered his questions in regard to the death of Orang Asli villagers in Kampung Kuala Koh, Gua Musang, Kelantan.
Ramli claimed that the government is not serious in handling the matter where 15 Orang Asli villagers from the Bateq community of Kampung Kuala Koh died due to a "mysterious disease".
He is also calling on the government to open an inquest to investigate the deaths.
Ramli said he has been raising the issue in Dewan Rakyat for the past two days, but found that the ministers were apathetic in answering his questions.
On Tuesday, he asked the Health Ministry whether it would form a special committee to thoroughly investigate the cause of death, as well as to ascertain whether the incident was triggered by the negligence of certain parties.
In a lengthy written reply, the ministry's answer said there are no plans to form such a committee as the cause of death has been attributed to measles which was triggered by lack of nutrition and low levels of antibodies.
Yesterday, Ramli asked whether the Home Ministry would open an inquest on the matter since it involved the deaths of more than a dozen people, but Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman (above) replied that the ministry would wait for the post-mortem reports before considering the next course of action.
"The minister is clear that the investigation has yet to be completed. What I suggest is for an inquest to be conducted since the number of deaths is 14. Let the coroner decide.
"Open inquest or closed inquest? This is important so we can confirm what the health minister said. I urge for an inquest so Malaysians (will) know the cause of death (of the victims).
"In (firefighter Muhammad) Adib's case, (there's) only one death, and an inquest was opened," he had said in Dewan Rakyat.
Ramli told Malaysiakini that he was disappointed with the answers.
"To me, the ministers gave low-standard answers.
"Fourteen people (Orang Asli) died and there's no inquest... but one person (Adib) died and they opened an inquest. You can tell how serious they are in handling matters concerning the Orang Asli," he said.
The news of the Orang Asli deaths first surfaced early last month and a toddler was reported to be the 15th victim on June 16.
The Health Ministry had identified measles as the disease plaguing the Bateq community
However, NGO Centre for Orang Asli Concerns said the root of the problem was the destruction of the community's natural habitat.
- Mkini
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