
The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry of Malaysia said in a statement that the government would be holding a public hearing and engagement with all parties on the new bauxite mining Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The ministry said this initiative is taken to improve the SOP that covers mining planning, bauxite mining site management, transportation and enforcement, stockpile site and port management as well as exportation procedures. The statement said the public hearing will also consider the opinions of local people as well as environmental NGOs. They would be allowed to access and review the SOP at a date to be announced.
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"To ensure the involvement of all parties, this engagement that will be held before March 31 will also take into account the interests of the people as well as environmental NGOs," the statement said.
Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung has applauded the Ministry’s plan to hold a public hearing and engagement on the new bauxite mining Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Lee said that there is a basis for people’s allegations to the bauxite mining methods and handling of the mineral in the past. Since it is a significant issue, it is mandatory to build up a transparent, democratic and responsible political process.
“Although the better method is to have a public hearing before any announcement, I urge the public, NGOs and stakeholders to be actively involved in the process so that decisions that meet every parties’ needs can be made,” he said.
The ministry statement assured that all complaints, especially those coming from people directly affected by bauxite mining activities will be heard while keeping in mind the ministry’s vision to ensure sustainable management of water, land and natural resources for the country’s prosperity. The initiative will be taken in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry and the Pahang government.
Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar recently made an announcement that the bauxite mining moratorium would not be extended after March 31 2019.
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