GEORGE TOWN: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has expressed shock on the decision by Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar to lift the moratorium on bauxite mining in Pahang and for activities to resume effective 1 April.
SAM president S.M. Mohamed Idris said while the ministry was responsible for regulating the mining industry, including bauxite, it does not have the jurisdiction and authority to regulate the environmental impacts of such mining activities.
He said the jurisdiction and authority to regulate was within the purview of the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (MESTECC) for the enforcement of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974.
Idris added that the moratorium on bauxite mining was imposed by the former Environment and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar three years ago, due to very serious environmental effects that resulted from the mining activities and run-offs from unsecured stockpiles that contaminated water sources, turning roads, rivers and coastal waters red and severely impacted local communities, including fisherfolk who were adversely affected.
"Clearly, (Dr) Xavier has disregarded environmental concerns and has not consulted the affected local communities or environmental groups on the matter and has given in to the bauxite industry.
"We wonder if he has consulted with MESTECC, which is the relevant authority on environmental matters," he said today.
Idris urged Xavier not to lift the ban on bauxite mining as there was no justification to do so, given the lack of clarity on the environmental measures and controls being taken to prevent a repeat of previous incidences of contamination and pollution.
"Profits for the mining industry must not be put ahead of the environment and health of the people.
"The environmental costs to the public and the environment must also be taken into account and we are upset that the minister has ignored this and has put the industry concerns ahead of the public interest," he added.
It was reported that the moratorium on the mining and export of bauxite from Pahang, which ends on March 31, would not be extended.
Following the announcement, all activities on the mining and export of the mineral could resume, although this time with a new standard operating procedure (SOP) as well as tighter enforcement of the law.
Xavier had said that this was because under the new SOP to be introduced soon, only bauxite that had been cleaned would be allowed for export to preserve the environment.
He had said that the new SOP was carefully prepared to incorporate four important aspects namely bauxite extract management, transportation and enforcement, storage area and management at the ports and the export of bauxite.
