JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor health department is waiting for a laboratory report on puffer fish poisoning that resulted in the death of an elderly couple recently.
The report is expected to be completed within two to three weeks.
State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the report is needed to complete an investigation paper before it 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 opened the investigation paper on the case.
“We are waiting for the report from the laboratory and we need to discuss with the health ministry and universities on certain existing Acts to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to charge the supplier,” he told reporters after attending a breaking of fast event with media representatives here last night.
Ling said the health department had seized the puffer fish that were sold and samples were taken for further investigation.
Lim Siew Guan, 83, died on March 28, reportedly after eating puffer fish sold by a vendor. Her husband, Ng Chuan Sing, 84, died on Saturday.
Both had been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Kalsom Hospital in Kluang after consuming the puffer fish obtained from an online seller through Facebook.
Asked about the family’s demand for a report from the district health department, Ling said the forensic report confirmed that the couple died as a result of puffer fish poisoning.
