Statement on Milk Scandal

25 September 2008

The Health Ministry's action in banning milk and milk-based products from China on Tuesday September 23rd is somewhat late in light of the fact that news of the scandal broke more than one week ago on Monday 15th September.

The initial statement by the Health Ministry that baby formula sold in Malaysia "is safe" and that Malaysia does not import milk or milk-based products from China, only to later admit to the contrary is questionable. While the Health Ministry had, on September 23rd, released a list of diary products sold in Malaysia which are safe, the procedures on how they arrived at these conclusions - ie. if they were chemically tested - were not revealed.

Singapore, in comparison had, on September 19th, published a list of banned items. We urge the Health Ministry to publish a list of all products which have been found to contain melamine and those that have been banned.

The Health Ministry's tardiness, lack of transparency and downplaying of the hazards of Melamine has caused the Rakyat to be overly-cautious and suspicious. As a result, many are completely abstaining from buying and consuming milk and milk-based products.

The Health Ministry should have acted more speedily and ordered an immediate freeze on all suspected food items and sent samples for thorough checks, instead of waiting one week to take action.

Malaysian government should also take immediate steps to set up a food testing agency, along the lines of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in order to ensure that all consumable items imported into Malaysia are safe and of proper quality.

KeADILan further urges the Health Ministry and the Malaysian government to place at utmost importance the health and well-being of the Rakyat over its perennial concern of protecting its own image along with that of business-owners and retailers.

This will undoubtedly give the Rakyat a fuller, more transparent picture and therefore assuage their anxieties.

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
President, Parti Keadilan Rakyat