KUANTAN, Jan 1 — The public has been advised against consuming seafood obtained from bauxite-contaminated waters off Pahang. Seafood restaurant owners are experiencing a drop in business as they are forced to raise prices just to break even.
Danis Lyeya, 41, said the prices of popular items such as tenggiri fish had gone from RM23 to RM32 per kg, and squid from RM32 to RM 48 per kg.
“Rent and utilities cost me nearly RM3,000 a month. Seafood prices have shot up because of the bauxite problem. Not only is it making life miserable, it’s also hurting us financially,” she said.
“The wholesalers told me they had to source for seafood further from here and that increased their costs. Also the current bad weather is preventing fishermen from taking to sea.
“My customers are complaining, but I don’t have a choice. My business runs the risk of going under if I do not charge more.”
Dani said many others in Kuantan were also upset over bauxite mining and wanted the authorities to act fast.
“It’s been going on for a long time. The miners are being indiscriminate about how they conduct their operations. They don’t care for the environment or the people living here,” she said.
Pahang Fisheries Department director Adnan Hussain warned the public against consuming seafood from bauxite-contaminated waters.
“The results of the tests are expected to be known within two weeks. We advise the public not to eat molluscs from these areas,” Adnan said.
Said Hafiz, 35, who owns a small restaurant at the Kuantan bus terminal, said he was taking certain items off the menu till the green light was given for their consumption.
“Kerang, prawns and sea crabs are more likely to pick up bauxite dust so I’m not serving these items,” he said, adding that people had avoided most seafood except fish and squid since the warning was issued.
“The lack of variety and the high prices are killing my business. It’s the fault of the miners, who else is there to blame.
“If it (bauxite) isn’t in the air, it’s on the ground. If it’s not on the ground, it’s in the food. How are we going to live like this?” he asked.
Naemah Noordin, 25, and husband Seanat Sakebalimeng, 29, operate a beachfront seafood restaurant.
“We have a slowdown in business recently. People have been avoiding seafood since the sea turned red.
“We are forking out more for safer seafood as in fish and squid that are sourced from further away,” Naemah said, adding that they had to turn away their usual suppliers.
The restaurant, which is near a main road used by the lorries transporting bauxite, faces another problem.
“The red dust is always a problem. Our tables, utensils and floor need constant cleaning or it would be unsafe to prepare and serve food.
“It is tiring and there seems to be no way to stop it. The miners seem to be free to do as they wish,” she said.
