Tests of water samples taken from the Sungai Batu Ferringhi by the Department of Environment yesterday found the presence of the e-coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria.

State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairperson Phee Boon Poh said the Health Department and the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had been informed of the finding for further action.

“We have also asked the Health Department to conduct checks on the marine produce in the Batu Ferringhi waters to see if these have the bacteria e-coli or not,” he said when contacted in George Town today.

It was reported yesterday that a part of the sea water off the Batu Ferringhi beach, a popular tourist destination, had turned black allegedly due to contamination by sewage wastes as well as serious coastline erosion.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government was awaiting feedback from the MPPP and had been informed that it was actually under the Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK).

“Let MPPP give its feedback. It is IWK’s issue. The MPPP will issue a statement on this,” he told reporters after launching BEST (Bridge Express Shuttle Transit) Bertam-Komtar service in George Town today.

The free Best service from the Bertam kiosk to Komtar would reduce traffic congestion in the city.

Lim said the BEST Komtar service which was introduced on Dec 3, 2012 had benefited civil servants who worked at the Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar).

Meanwhile, according to a statement by the MPPP today, the results of the tests on the water samples would be known in a fortnight.

The tests were being conducted by the Department of Environment and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.

- Bernama