KUANTAN, April 1 — Improvement of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the mining and export of bauxite in Pahang should be coordinated with improved enforcement.
Stop Bauxite Pollution People’s Movement (Geram) chairman Ali Akbar Othman said the parties involved need to ensure that the number of enforcement agencies was sufficient to monitor mining operations, as their shortages contributed to the pollution previously.
“We propose that the State Security Council (MKN) also monitor the bauxite mining activities taking into account the past experience when five Kuantan Land and Mine Office staff were required to monitor almost 500 bauxite lorries daily,” he said when contacted here, yesterday.
Ali Akbar also proposed public involvement such as a voluntary patrol scheme to be set up specifically to monitor environmental protection issues, including in the mining of bauxite.
He said it could include members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representing residents’ interests in local issues and their membership should be certified by the government as well as provided with appropriate jurisdiction.
Ali Akbar further praised the government’s transparency in displaying the SOP draft on the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS) website yesterday, to enable the people to evaluate and submit proposals that will be followed by a public hearing session on April 14 in Kuantan.
Meanwhile, chairman of Bukit Goh bauxite action coordinating committee chairman Datuk Dr Abd Wahid Abd Manaf said the state government should issue its own SOP as ‘support’ to the SOP issued by the ministry.
“Even if we have SOPs, evaluations and re-examination should be conducted many times. Do not rush to reauthorise the mining activity because they have to bear the costs if the moratorium was reinstated on grounds of pollution,” he said.
Abd Wahid added that his concern was that if the new SOP required the bauxite to be washed before being taken to port, where would the large quantity of bauxite water flow besides causing dust problems when it dries.
He hoped the parties can discuss and be open to suggestions from industry players that will be presented on the website or at public hearings, so that mining and exporting activities could be carried out in a sustainable manner.
“We support the bauxite industry as it helps boost the economy ... not just the state’s economy, but also that of the settlers involved and others like lorry drivers, so the best solution is needed,” he said. — Bernama
