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Refrain From Giving Confusing Statement on Imported Fruits And Pesticides In Malaysia Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the advice of the Agriculture Minister to refrain from eating imported fruits because of cancer-causing pesticides. 19 January 2000 | |||||||
| On 17 January 2000, the Malaysian Agriculture Minister Datuk Effendi Morwawi advised consumers to refrain from eating imported fruits while there was an investigation into the allegations by the Consumer Associaton of Penang, CAP, in its Utusan Konsumer that these fruits were tainted with cancer-causing chemicals. The next day, the Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng asserted that preliminary tests showed that these fruits were safe. Chua has been quoted as saying, "As a matter of preference, I like local fruits. I think the flavour is much better. But I would still eat imported fruits. Reports, so far, say they are safe." Should the public believe the Agriculture Minister or the Health Minister? Why should confusing statements be made on the matter? Malaysia imports about RM500 million worth of fruits and 7-800 million of vegetables annually. While we enjoy local fruits, the quality of which should be improved, we also sample the varieties of imported fruits. We have repeatedly raised the questions on the use of chemicals in local and imported food | |
and the smuggling of banned subtances for agricultural use. There should be a thorough investigation of the CAP allegations and other apects of the use of agricultural chemicals. The Management and Monitoring Department in the Malaysian Agriculture Ministry spends about RM30 million yearly on various projects including the monitoring of chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides and herbicides. We feel that the allocation, the staffing and the efficiency of the departement have to be improved. The Agriculture Ministry looks after chemicals used in agriculture and the Health Ministry takes over when these chemicals affect humans. The conflicting statements by the two ministries show that the right hand of the Government does not know what its left hand is doing. This applies to other things such as the oubreak of encephalitis epidemic on pigs and their handlers, causing over 100 deaths (and over a million pigs culled) in May last year. The Government should stop confusing the public. Get to the crux of the matter and let the people know the truth. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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