Retracting moratorium on bauxite mining may raise renewed environmental concerns in Pahang

Gerakan Hentikan Pencemaran Bauksit (Geram) chairman Ali Akhbar Othman said recently in Pahang that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must first finalise the proper standard operating procedures (SOP) before deciding on the withdrawal of moratorium on bauxite mining.

MACC’s recent decision to withdraw the seizure order on 10 million tonnes plus bauxite stockpiles has raised renewed concerns of environmental degradation.

"Since the government imposed the moratorium in 2016, residents here have enjoyed a cleaner environment with no dust and presence of lorries transporting the mineral from Felda Bukit Goh, through Jalan Pintasan Kuantan-Pelabuhan and Gebeng area, to Kuantan Port.

"As long as there are no improvements and introduction of a more concrete SOP, I believe there is no need to retract the moratorium," Othman said.

On December 24, the federal government of Malaysia said via a media statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry that existing moratorium shall be extended till June 30, 2018.

Immediately after the announcement, MACC ordered the withdrawal of the seizure order on bauxite stockpiles in the state, which would allow mining operators armed with Approved Permits (AP) to export bauxite by clearing the existing stockpiles.

Geram residents fear that the decision may lead to further degradation of the environmental condition.