TRAVELLERS have opted to stay put along Penang’s most popular beach despite news last week of contaminated headwater in Sungai Batu Ferringhi river.
According to a New Straits Times report today, the Department of Environment Malaysia confirmed yesterday that untreated human waste has been discharged into the waters of the Sungai Batu Ferringhi, resulting in an alarmingly high level of infection-causing e.coli bacteria and pollution of the beachfront.
A massive clean-up since Wednesday has seen numbers plunge, and natural resources and environment minister G Palanivel has not ruled out the role of nearby hotels, residents and eateries in the situation.
Yap Sook Ling, managing director at Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel said: “We have a number of European clients, mainly from the UK, staying in Batu Ferringhi. We have advised them not to go to the beach. We are prepared to relocate them to city hotels if that was what they wished for, but so far there is no such request.”
Diethelm Travel Malaysia has meanwhile sent out an advisory to its overseas partners several days ago to keep them informed of the situation in Batu Ferringhi, and there has not been any cancellations yet.
Said managing director Manfred Kurz: “We sell Penang as a cultural and historical destination and with an opportunity to stay in a beach resort. Swimming in the sea at Batu Ferringhi is not very common due to jellyfish. Guests prefer the hotel swimming pools.”
Ganneesh Ramaa, manager, Luxury Tours Malaysia said immediate action should be taken to clean up the contamination, otherwise tourism in Penang would suffer.
