Jasper Teoh, 42, salesman “What can be done within three months? The time frame is too short to do anything. This bauxite mining issue is not something new as they should have enforced good regulations before it all started.”  Lee May Peng, 29, administrator “The (state) government had better listen and make sure the mining stops as ordered by the federal government. They have had ample time to solve this issue and nothing has been done. A temporary order is better than just allowing the miners to continue ruining our town. I hope this is not just lip service. Otherwise, tempers are really going to flare.” Khaidir Ahmad, Peka Pahang chairman  “It is good that the minister is stopping all bauxite mining operations for the next three months. It will give them enough time to weed out illegal miners and certify legal ones. Also, they need to regulate the logistics in transporting the bauxite as the lorries can be a threat to other drivers on the road.” Nur Hajah Ahmadi, 38, eatery owner “Finally, something is being done but I am disappointed that it will only be a temporary stop. We were all hoping that the mining would be permanently gone but at least some real action is being taken. It is good that the federal government has stepped in to resolve the issue. If not, it is possible that some people may take matters into their own hands. They are fed up of not having their complaints taken seriously.” Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman, Friends of the Environment researcher “It is disappointing to see the state government’s lacklustre response to the bauxite mining issue. Under their watch, the miners have caused widespread destruction to the local environment, including the fishing and tourism industries. Compensation is in order for residents and businesses negatively impacted by the mining. It is also unacceptable that no environmental impact assessment was conducted before the mining was allowed to be scaled up. The onus is now on the state government to prove they are indeed concerned for the interests of those in the state and swiftly ensure the industry is cleaned up.” Anthony Tan, Centre for Environment, Technology and Development executive director  “This issue could and should have been resolved at the state level. It is disappointing to see the federal government having to step in to resolve a state issue. How can enforcement be so poor as to cause this environmental catastrophe by allowing miners to degrade the environment of Kuantan? The dead fish is a worrying prospect as it seems to indicate that contaminants are working their way up the food chain. The state government needs to take stock of its actions and compensate those affected by this to prove its sincerity in resolving the issue.” Raqman Jala, 63, retiree “It looks like they are taking things seriously, only after people threatened to protest and the fish started dying. I am disappointed that the state government seemed weak-willed in helping us but at least something is being done. I pass the river every day during my morning walk and I have seen how things have gone from bad to worse. We are living in a poisonous environment, the dust is in the air and now the water may be bad. I’m afraid to consume seafood and my friends who work as fishermen are suffering.” Mohamad Zairi Mohd, 31, mechanic “It is good but the ban is just for three months. If the state government does not find a better solution, the people will suffer again. They should look for a permanent solution instead of just a temporary one.” Shahrul Aziz, 42, lorry driver “What can a ban do if they are not going to control and regulate the mining? It will just repeat itself, just like the haze we face each year. Either ban it for good or have strict and proper guidelines for the mining companies.” Muhd Rizam Baharuddin, 29, factory worker “I agree with the ban because it has caused a lot of dust in the air that made my two-year-old daughter fall ill often. However, I feel they should stop all mining rather than just three months.”