KUCHING: Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing yesterday urged people not to believe that recent deaths reported in the Bakun area were due to the wrath of angry gods and unappeased spirits.
Masing who was met after chairing a meeting at his office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here yesterday told reporters that he was disappointed that the issue was blown out of proportion.
“The State Health Department had confirmed that the deaths were due to melioidosis and leptospirosis and should not any way be linked to any spiritual belief.
“I believe that many of the Orang Ulu in the area are educated and should not believe the story,” said Masing.
He pointed out that the State Health Department was doing its best to prevent the disease from spreading and affecting others in the area.
The Borneo Post yesterday quoted Bakun Community Safety Committee (BCSC) chairman Dr Elli Luhat as saying the deaths
were caused by angry spirits in the area because they could not hold any rituals to appease their ancestors whose graves had been submerged under water.
Elli added that it was because the people did not have the fund to do so as they had not received compensation for their relocation and submersion of the cemeteries.