GRIK: Hundreds of villagers in the district are living in fear following the discovery of arsenic elements in Sungai Rui.
The villagers claimed that they had known the 60km long river was heavily polluted for many years, but were not aware that arsenic, which poses significant health risks to humans, were among the contaminants.
They are pointing their fingers at nearby mining operations.
They said there were four and five mining sublets believed to be owned by a company operating illegally in Pengkalan Hulu.
The affected villages are Kampung Baru Sungai Rui, Kampung Batu 6, Kampung Kerunai, Kampung Jong, Kampung Parit, Kampung Batang Senang, Kampung Besia, Kampung Besia Lama, Kampung Bandariang and Kampung Bongor.
Yeong Lim Leng of Kampung Baru Sungai Rui said the river had turned murky and had been in a bad condition over the last 10 years, and was becoming worse lately.
The 66-year-old said he believed that mining activities taking place about 30km away from his village were the main cause of the pollution.
“The water has been murky for a long time and sometimes, it appears reddish when it rains.
“Dead fish could even be seen floating when the mining factory released water.”
Yeong said he believed that the mining company which had been operating for more than 100 years failed to filter the water before releasing it into the river.
“I used to plant sweet oranges (limau madu) but it was destroyed due to the contaminated river. “We believe that the China-owned sublets have been using illegal chemical substances that caused the condition to worse,” he said.
Osman Ahmad, 70, of Kampung Bongor said he had been suffering from a skin disease for many years, and believed it was linked to the polluted river, where he went fishing frequently.
“One day, I noticed my skin had started to peel, and soon the affected areas became white.
“I was not sure how I got it, but I believe it was from the river.
“I am currently seeking medication from a skin specialist at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh,” he said, adding that some of his friends were also affected.
Villagers also claimed that pollution in the river had caused a decline in the fish population, especially loma fish (tiny scale barb), which had previously been available in abundance from August through November.
Jamaliah Osman, 43, of Kampung Batu 6 said during those months avid anglers from as far away as Kelantan, Penang and Kedah joined the locals to fish.
“Hundreds of kilogramme of lomas were caught, which were sold to dealers who process it into pekasam (fermented fish).
“However, it’s a different story now. The catch has dwindled over the past four years.
“You could see hundreds of dead loma fish floating around.
“The murky water looks like coffee. I am saddened by this turn of event.
“I could get extra income for my family from the river, but now I can’t,” she said.
Khalid Ismail, 60, of Kampung Bandariang said he hoped that the authorities would act to prevent a repeat of the Sungai Kim Kim pollution disaster.
“We have been worried sick following the discovery of arsenic. We hope the authorities can do something about the mining activities.\
“We do not want to see more people falling sick, our plantation destroyed and our chances of getting extra income affected.”