Forensics team to conclude probe into Orang Asli deaths

A forensics team from the Health Ministry is expected to conclude its probe into the cause of death of 12 Bateq villagers whose bodies were exhumed in Kampung Kuala Koh, Gua Musang.

"The postmortem investigation is in the final stage now. Today, the forensics team will have an internal discussion to conclude the investigation," Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad told reporters in Subang Jaya today.

In June, authorities exhumed the bodies of the Orang Asli, who were said to have succumbed to a "mysterious disease" a month earlier.

On independent laboratory tests which revealed that water sources around Kampung Kuala Koh were contaminated with toxic substances, Dzulkefly said his ministry was aware of this.

He said he has met with Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) president Dr Steven Chow, who led the team that commissioned the tests, to discuss the findings.

"We took their findings into consideration. We also know about the presence of heavy metals in the water," he said.

However, Dzulkefly said to link the deaths of victims to the water contamination is a different matter altogether.

Chow's study also revealed that the level of manganese in some water samples taken from the area was 2.53mg/L – more than 12 times above the safety standard of 0.2mg/L set by the Environment Department.

The study also found an unacceptable level of faecal contamination in the water.

The news of the Orang Asli deaths first surfaced early last month, with a toddler reported to be the 15th victim on June 16.

The Health Ministry had identified measles as the disease plaguing the Bateq community, but authorities have yet to ascertain the cause of death of the 12 victims whose remains were exhumed.

NGO Centre for Orang Asli Concerns had said the root of the problem was the destruction of the community's natural habitat. 

Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor had since called on the government to open an inquest to investigate the deaths.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said a panel is still investigating claims that Orang Asli women were coerced into taking birth control medication by Health Ministry officials.

Asked on the progress of the investigation, he only said: "We are still investigating the matter."

In the Malaysiakini report, Temiar activist Nora Kantin claimed women in her Gua Musang village were threatened to have their medical cards confiscated should they refuse birth control in the form of injections or pills. 

The activist alleged that newlyweds are especially targeted. - Mkini