After acceding to the police suggestion to shift its Sept 2 anti-cyanide demonstration to a football field, Ban Cyanide Action Committee had urged the relevant authorities not to delay approval for the new venue.

The new venue, dubbed Padang Milo, located behind Raub Lake Garden, was suggested by police following the Raub District Council's rejection of the committee's application to use Dataran Raub for its gathering on the grounds that it had already been booked for another activity.

NONE According to the committee's statement yesterday, the police have agreed to facilitate the application with the local council.

"The proposed alternative venue is not far from Dataran Raub, only about half a kilometer away, hence it can be reached by walking.

"After a recce, the committee found that the venue is spacious and suitable for rallying.

"Although it is not completely satisfactory, the committee accepted it reluctantly in the bigger interest," read the statement.

It said that arrangements will be made that day to direct the crowd unaware of the change in venue from Dataran Raub to Padang Milo.

"The authorities said they will process our application for the new venue according to the procedures and get back to us on the 27 (next Monday)."

  Five years, still going strong

The committee will organise a pre-rally event at the Raub morning market on Sunday to publicise the rally and public is invited to join in.

bukit koman mining lake 310107 The committee was formed by Bukit Koman residents who maintain that a local gold mine using cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, has resulted in various illnesses within the community but the Health Ministry says it cannot confirm this.

The Sept 2 rally - dubbed Himpunan Hijau Raub - is the culmination of five years of protest against the use of the chemical in the gold mine.

Cyanide is used to extract gold from tailings - waste material from previous mining efforts - and oxide deposits at the mine.

The residents have tried to take legal action against the well-connected miners but their suit has been thrown out by the court.