KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 – The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry together with the Pahang state government have agreed to extend the moratorium on bauxite mining and exports to Dec 31 to reduce the volume of stockpile bauxite.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, in a statement, today said he hoped that the extension would enable the stockpile bauxite to be released in a controlled manner based on the guidelines set by the ministry.

He said the extension of the moratorium had nothing to do with the 14th General Election but as an action taken against illegal mining activities carried out on private lands as well as by companies that did not follow guidelines leading to environmental pollution.

"I will ask enforcement agencies to take appropriate action against illegal mining in private lands as well as the irresponsible companies involved,” he said.

He added that the bauxite stockpile outside the Kuantan Port at the early implementation stage of the moratorium on Nov 27, 2015 was at 5.4 million metric tons. However the latest survey conducted by the Department of Survey and Mapping in April revealed an increased volume of the stockpile.

"In this case, the ministry together with the Pahang state government will find the best way to address the issue comprehensively,” said Wan Junaidi adding that as of June 8, this year, a total of 5.8 million metric tons of bauxite had been exported through the Kuantan Port in Pahang and the Kemaman Port in Terengganu. —Bernama