Sewage an issue for Terengganu islands but not cause of sick tourists - exco

 

Terengganu Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee chairperson Ariffin Deraman has denied allegations that six individuals suffered food poisoning and fell ill after swimming in the state's waters, due to untreated sewage waste.

"Indeed, the issue of sewage has become a big issue in the islands around Terengganu.

"But, if there is any poisoning at this point, I deny that it is because of the sewage issue," he told Malaysiakini.

In fact, he said, it was illogical to link the issue to the problem of the islands' sewage waste.

Ariffin said this is because the issue of sewage on the islands has been going on for a long time and until now has not been resolved.

However, tourism centres in the state are understood to have taken their own initiative to resolve the sewage issue.

"It doesn't make much sense, because this sewage issue is long overdue and, in fact, unresolved. They have their own solution and all this time, that’s what has been happening there and there was no food poisoning.

"So, how can people relate to the issue of sewage problems... but that's that, I can't get any more information.

“I'll check and inform soon," he said briefly.

Ariffin said this while commenting on an allegation by a resort operator from one of the state’s islands, who claimed that many island resorts dump human faeces directly into the sea without any treatment process.

The allegations surfaced after a news portal reported a disastrous two-night holiday to Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu for a group of six, who claimed to have suffered from food poisoning and fallen ill after swimming in waters believed to be contaminated with untreated sewage.

One of them, Vilasini Kengartharan, 31, reportedly said she suspected something was wrong when an employee from the resort where they stayed suggested only eating at the hotel as "food poisoning cases were increasing”.

However, one of her friends, who took the employee's advice and only ate the food provided by the resort, had also fallen ill.

Vilasini said they all started vomiting on the last night of the holiday.

There are about 50 resorts on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

Some of those contacted declined to say whether they treated their sewage waste in accordance with the law.

Treatment of wastewater

In 2021, an investigation by Malaysiakini into the Perhentian and Redang islands found that for decades, the lack of proper facilities to treat sewage on island resorts meant untreated wastewater is channelled directly into the sea.

The practice, although unsavoury, was largely in compliance with the Environment Department’s requirements.

Checks found small resort owners generally use septic tanks, of which contents are cleared of sludge and effluents before being channelled into the ocean, in compliance with the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

This was also the case for larger resorts that use their own small sewage treatment systems or individual septic tanks.

However, according to regulations, these tanks must first be registered and approved by the National Water Services Commission.

Malaysiakini’s investigations had found that not all resorts obtained the required approval, indicating that wastewater channelled into the sea may not comply with the standards set by the act.

The issue was compounded by the treatment of wastewater from domestic users, known as sullage. It is learnt that sullage was allowed to flow directly into the sea or into ponds and inland streams, ultimately polluting the sea.

This portal has contacted Terengganu Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment chairperson Dr Alias Razak for his response. - Mkini