JOHOR BAHRU – Pufferfish is not a popular food among Malaysians and it does not always end up on the dining table as some are kept in aquariums as ornamental fish, said a Malaysian government official.
Johor Fisheries Department director Zainudin Abdul Wahab said of the fish, which contains deadly toxins: “Local fishermen will throw it back into the sea if the fish is caught in their nets, especially if it is dead; it has no value.
“Pufferfish can be found not only in Malaysian waters but also throughout the world, which is why we do not export it to foreign countries such as Japan,” he said on Monday.
An elderly couple, from Johor’s Kluang district, died after consuming the deadly pufferfish recently.
Mr Zainudin said that in Japan, the lethal puffer – which is known as fugu – is a luxury delicacy which must be prepared by trained and certified chefs.
“This fish must be handled properly to make sure it is not harmful for human consumption,” he added.
He said that there are ornamental fish lovers who keep puffers in aquariums.
“People can buy pufferfish at shops selling ornamental fish. However, the sellers must have a licence to sell such a poisonous fish,” he added.
Mr Zainudin said that the department has been taking proactive measures to create awareness among the people, alerting them to the danger of consuming pufferfish.
Apart from using social media platforms to reach out to the public, he said that officers from the department have also been meeting fishermen on this matter.
Asked if the department would carry out its own investigation into the death of the elderly couple, Mr Zainudin said that it would allow the Health Department to complete its probe first before making any decision.
Mr Ng Chuan Sing, 84, and his wife, Madam Lim Siew Guan, 83, consumed the fish they bought from a trader on March 25, unaware that it was a pufferfish.
The couple had breathing difficulties after eating it.
Several hours later, Madam Lim died. Mr Ng went into a coma and died on April 8.
The Malaysian police are investigating the case, while Johor’s Health Department is awaiting laboratory reports on the matter. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
