About 60% of bauxite waste affected areas cleaned up in Pahang

The state Fire and Rescue Department, Pahang, confirmed that about 60% of the bauxite waste affected areas has been cleaned up since the cleaning works began on January 14. Its director Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said cleaning was expected to be completed earlier than the scheduled date on February 14.

"However, the Department of Environment will check and determine whether we still need to do more cleaning. We will comply and utilise all the facilities we have, including the road sweeper, mobile water tank and manpower," he said after attending the department's annual parade here recently.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had recently directed the Urban Well-Being, Housing and Local Government Ministry to conduct cleaning up works in the bauxite mining affected areas here. The operation was jointly conducted with other agencies, including the Kuantan Municipal Council and Alam Flora.

Abdul Wahab said the department had carried out its job in the district accordingly except for the Kuantan Port area, which was under the port management's jurisdiction.

"Our work is not only to clean up the roads but also the drains, signboards, road dividers and railings and shop buildings which are badly affected by the bauxite waste and dust. It also depends on the situation. There were some shop owners who requested for us to clean their premises and some who wanted to do it on their own because the high pressure water jet we use may damage their buildings," he said.

Abdul Wahab said the collected waste from the drains would be disposed at a rubbish collection area in Jabor. He added that the work was conducted every day, including weekends and that if there were complaints or requests for more cleaning to be done, the department would do it.