The discolouration, foul smell and dead fish in the Malacca River was not caused by pollution, but is believed to be due to the ocean current, said state housing, local government, environment and green technology committee chairperson Tey Kok Kiew.

According to Tey, the preliminary report by the Environment Department revealed that the cause was not due to effluent discharges or release of industrial waste.

Tey said only the Tilapia species was affected.

“If there really was pollution, dead fish should be seen near the spot where the effluent was discharged, and all aquatic life would be affected, not just certain fish.

"The dead fish could only be found 7km from the river estuary to Melaka Sentral and not other areas,” he told a press conference in Malacca today.

- Bernama