MP wants comprehensive DEIA on Kuantan's bauxite mining

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh has called for a comprehensive, detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) to be conducted on bauxite mining activities in the Pahang capital.

"Considering that not a single EIA was done before issuing the licences for the mines, we don't really know the impact of bauxite mining on the environment, people, animals, and plants.

"So a macro DEIA covering all areas that are impacted must be carried out, and the results from that must be a consideration in determining the future of bauxite mining in Kuantan," she told Malaysiakini.

Fuziah (photo) said this after expressing concern that Putrajaya was taking a "simplistic" route in solving the bauxite pollution in Kuantan.

Bauxite mining in Kuantan is now under a three-month moratorium, until April 15, after widespread pollution in the state and even in neighbouring Terengganu.

In the interim, Putrajaya has proposed several measures to allow bauxite mining while minimising pollution, including the construction of a new road to avoid transportation of bauxite-rich soil through residential areas.

However, Fuziah is not at all impressed by these moves.

"Talking about special roads and speed of the lorries is just one very small aspect of the problem.

"I am concerned that the state government is approaching the problem in a very simplistic manner," she said.