The proposed iron ore processing plant in the midst of a forest reserve in the Manjung district of Perak threatens a great negative impact not only on the environment there but also on the fishing community and on tourism as well.

The proposed project will slice off 600ha out of the 900ha Teluk Muroh forest reserve, which is located in the district's Teluk Rubiah.

NONE Perak Environment Association (PEA) president Abdul Rahman Said Alli ( right in photo ) said the Perak government and local authority did not announce the gazetting of the zone conversion in the Lumut-Seri Manjung Local Plan 2015 (Amendment).

Furthermore, both parties had apparently ignored the views of the participants of the Nov 19, 2009, public hearing on the proposed project who had raised strong objections to the plan.

The change in land use and conversion of the existing tourism zone for the iron ore processing plant contradicts the vision and one of the objectives of the Manjung District Local Plan to turn the district into the state's leading tourist attraction.

Rahman said the authorities had conveniently turned a blind eye to the Local Agenda 21 principles, where the aspirations and views of local communities must prevail.

State defying federal policies

He also pointed out that both moves were in clear conflict and incompatible with the National Environment Policy, National Forest Policy and the National Physical Plan (NPP).

The proposed project area is categorised as Environmentally Sensitive Area Clause II under the NPP and if implemented, the project will have a negativelimpact on the environment and socio-economy of the people in the area, especially the fishermen.

It will cause heavy damage to the environment and deplete aquatic life and coastal marine resources, including the coral reefs at Pulau Katak, which fronts the proposed project.

NONE With the land use status changed for the project, the surrounding areas still covered with primary and secondary forests, including the coastal hill forests and undisturbed beaches, will be adversely affected.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perak) has stated that the proposed project area is still rich in various flora and fauna, with many coming under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972.

Pantai Teluk Batik, a important tourist attraction, will have a buffer zone of only 500m from the project area.

Crusade against project pledge

Also, the natural characteristics there and in the surroundings were being used by educational and training institutions, youth organisations and the Outward Bound School (OBS) for field training.

The navy and a national service camp (PLKN Teluk Rubiah Camp) also carry out training sessions near the proposed project area.

The executive summary report of the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) for the proposed Malaysia Iron Ore Project at Teluk Rubiah, Manjung District, Perak, states that large quantities of iron ore would be imported from Brazil and the blended iron ore and pellets would be distributed to Southeast Asian customers.

The whole operation requires a dedicated jetty capable of handling large bulk carriers and barges.

Such a jetty would extend about 2.2km offshore, with a 1.6km-long wharf needing a 300m to 550m-wide channel and the seabed dredged to a depth of 25m to facilitate safe access to the unloading wharf by very large bulk iron ore carriers.

Rahman and his secretary Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman revealed this at a media conference at their Ipoh office yesterday.

Rahman said the DEIA report also included the residents' fears and concerns over potential changes to environment, especially the water quality, accessibility for jungle trekking and the loss of a golf facility.

Why foul up fishermen's lives for foreign investment?

His question is why turn a tourist spot and the source for the fishermen's livelihood into an industrial area to benefit only foreign investors.

He also wanted to know the reason for not locating the project at the Manjung Industrial Park or in the pentiful abandoned mining areas of Perak.

"Furthermore, the raw iron ore raw is imported from Brazil and the end products are sent to Southeast Asia countries. Malaysia's only benefits will be environmental pollution and destruction of the natural tourist areas," Rahman said.

He rubbished the claim that the factory wouldl provide jobs for the local community, saying that modern machinery of high technology required only a few foreign professionals to handle the whole works.

Later, Rahman said he would be meeting Pasir Panjang assemblyperson Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for the issue to be highlighted at the Aug 3 state assembly sitting.

Also, he will be holding talks with the OBS director on the issue as well as with Perak Regent Raja Nazrin Shah, who is the school's patron.

If all fails, Rahman plans to launch a crusade to put an end to the project with the help of people's power, embracing local residents and fishermen.