Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam today suggested that bauxite mining in Pahang be halted altogether if the activity continues to pollute waterways and water supply and poses a health risk.

He also advised the people of Kuantan against drinking bauxite-polluted river water because it was harmful to health.

He said they should not drink such water even by boiling it because it contained heavy metal that was detrimental to health and could remain in the body undetected for a long time.

They should also not eat fish caught in the polluted rivers, he told reporters after delivering his New Year message for the ministry here.

READ: Sungai Balok turns red after rain due to bauxite

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry was monitoring the situation to ensure that the water supply system in the Kuantan area was unaffected.