Pakatan Rakyat has raised concern that the tourism industry in Telok Kalong, Kemaman, will be adversely affected due to the anticipated pollution by a steel factory there.

Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Baharin Raja Ahmad Shah said this as the iron ore to be processed at the mill has high sulphur content.

He said the iron ore is processed at a steel factory owned via joint venture with a China company, which had been barred from setting up the same operation in Australia and Brazil.

He said that the factory is 1.5km to 2km from the coast, close to Sungai Chukai.

"Without further details, we fear that the heavy steel industry is an unsustainable industry," he added.

The MP also expressed dissatisfaction with the written reply from Environment and Natural Resources Minister G Palanivel to a question on the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment as it was too brief.

The minister had said that the factory will produce five metric tonnes of steel a year and will be operational in 2015.

"The DEIA for the project was received in Nov 4, 2009 and approved on Jan 27, 2010 subject to approval conditions," the written reply read.

Also at the press conference at the Parliament lobby was Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh who said the pollution could cause health and respiratory issues.

"We cannot allow this to happen in Malaysia," said the MP who is known for championing the anti-Lynas rare earth plant movement.