JOHOR BAHRU, April 10 — The Johor Health Department (JKNJ) is still waiting for the laboratory report regarding puffer fish poisoning that resulted in the death of two elderly people recently, which is expected to be obtained in two to three weeks.
State Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the report is needed to complete the investigation paper (IP) before the IP is handed over to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office for a decision on the next course of action against the fish supplier.
He said investigations had been carried out by the Kluang and Batu Pahat district health offices, and the police had already opened an IP regarding the case.
“We are waiting for the report from the laboratory and we need to discuss with the Ministry of Health and universities on certain existing acts to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to charge the supplier.
“Investigations are still ongoing, hopefully soon, if the (laboratory) report is out, we will announce further developments to the media,” he told reporters after attending a breaking of the fast event with media practitioners in the state, here, last night.
He added that the forensic report showed that both victims died as a result of puffer fish poisoning.
Ling said this when asked about the victims’ families who want a report from the District Health Department on the death of their family members
When asked if sale of puffer fish in the market could be banned, he advised the public not to buy puffer fish to eat.
On action against the supplier, Ling said JKNJ had seized the puffer fish that were sold and samples were taken for further investigation.
So far, an elderly couple has died as a result of puffer fish poisoning with the 83-year-old wife dying on March 28, followed by her husband on Saturday (April 8).
Both of them were admitted to the ICU of the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Kalsom Hospital (HEBHK), Kluang, after consuming puffer fish obtained from an online seller through Facebook.
Puffer fish is poisonous and can only be eaten once the parts in it which contain deadly toxins are completely removed.
