Datuk Siti Nurhaliza (left) with USM’s top officials and Miresco Integrated Sdn Bhd at the signing of the official agreement to promote I-Mizu water at the Royale Chulan Hotel yesterday. — Picture from Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/USM’s Official Facebook

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — Can a filtration system which produces hydrogen-rich alkaline water successfully treat ailments like cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure?

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin seem to think so, and the country’s Facebook users aren’t too happy about it.

Just yesterday, USM and Miresco Integrated Sdn Bhd signed an official agreement to “ensure high-quality drinking water” through the promotion of I-Mizu water in a glitzy event at the Royale Chulan hotel.

According to a statement posted on the university’s official Facebook page, the official collaboration was important for research and to maintain the quality of I-Mizu products.

“USM also supports entrepreneurs and the local business industry by helping improve the potential of its products in research so that it not only results in sound investment returns but also produces the best research for the country,” USM vice-chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Omar Osman was quoted saying.

Also present at the event was Siti Nurhaliza, who the university said has agreed to assist in promoting the I-Mizu water.

But what drew the ire of some Facebook users was a picture of a promotional poster for I-Mizu during the event which was uploaded on USM’s Facebook page.

Based on the contents of the poster, I-Mizu claims to have successfully treated 150 types of ailments and health problems such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, tumours, cholesterol, eczema and obesity.

“It is sad when our own university had lowered its standard to be on par with proponents of pseudoscience and are involved in disseminating unscientific information to society,” said one Facebook user, Syed Aljunid.

Another user, Adibah Razali sarcastically said: “Good, no need for hospitals after this. Everyone can be treated with I-Mizu.”

Others called the description of the I-Mizu water as “misleading” and demanded that the Ministry of Health look into the matter.

“Water which can treat/cure 150 chronic illnesses? if naive Malays hear about this and buy this product to cure their ailments, it is the Malays who are selling it who will be enriched.

“But the Malays who buy it will suffer because they would have spent all their money and will not be cured. If you want to trade you have to be honest, follow the law. And USM is collaborating with these people who are selling ‘magic water’,” said another Facebook Muhammad Farid.

The poster for I-Mizu water's supposed medicinal properties which claims to have cured 150 ailments and health problems. — Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/USM’s Official Facebook page.

USM was careful to define Siti Nurhaliza’s involvement in the promotion of the product, and stated in a separate Facebook post: “Keyword: Collaboration...can be in many forms, direct/indirect.”

According to I-Mizu’s official website, the product is an “excellent” filter system which converts regular tap water into hydrogen-rich alkaline water.

“The filter system not only alkalizes, ionizes and softens tap water, but also removes any residual chlorine and heavy metals out of your tap water.

“The system effectively minimizes health risks from water pollution and brings micro-mineral water conveniently to your homes,” the website stated.