PUTRAJAYA, Jan 11 — The livelihoods of an estimated 500 fishermen in Pahang have been affected by the poorly managed but lucrative bauxite mining in Kuantan, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today.

He conceded that the problem is expected to continue until the mining activities are managed properly.

“Among fishermen, we estimated about 500 fishermen are affected, if they are talking about the beach,” he told reporters after his ministry’s monthly assembly at Wisma Tani here.

He added that those affected are mostly in Beserah, about 10km north of the Pahang state capital and near the port.

The federal Cabinet has decided to freeze all mining activities for the next three months until all bauxite stockpiles are cleared and exported, and a new central stockpile facility is built.

The federal government also gave an assurance that mining activities will continue after the three months.

The rise in several health conditions among Kuantan residents including respiratory problems had been attributed to mining activities.