Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel has said that in the ongoing investigation into allegations that an expatriate used cat meat to prepare food, the claims have not yet been confirmed.
While the accused expatriate has been detained and is under Immigration custody, Dr Khaleel said that the matter is still under investigation in collaboration with relevant authorities.
"We are not certain if cat meat was used in this way. These are just rumors circulating on social media, and we are closely investigating the matter with the relevant authorities," Khaleel explained.
The minister said that he had looked into allegations that cornice powder was being used instead of slaked lime paste in betel nut chewing.
Cornice powder could potentially cause health issues such as fits and heart palpitations.
The minister said that the substance in question had been tested, and the results confirmed that it was indeed slaked lime paste and not cornice powder.
"We tested the substance following the report we received, and the results, which came in last evening, confirmed that it was slaked lime paste," he said.
"There is no indication of anything wrong with the slaked lime powder according to tests so far," the minister said.