Kuantan folk were able to breathe a sigh of relief yesterday after Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai reportedly said the cabinet had decided to order a suspension of bauxite activities there.

However, the relief quickly changed to confusion after several Chinese newspapers today amended their reports stating that Liow only mentioned a "review" and not a "suspension".

Among the newspapers were Sin Chew Daily and Oriental Daily .

The amended version said the federal government had recommended to the Pahang government to immediately review the bauxite mining activities.

However, China Press maintained its story which stated that the cabinet had "requested the state government to suspend bauxite mining in Kuantan" and that the Transport Ministry would also review the operational procedures in ferrying bauxite to the port.

Malay-language newspaper Utusan Malaysia today also published a similar report, stating: "The cabinet had decided that the bauxite mining activities in Kuantan - which had caused pollution concerns and widespread opposition - are to be temporarily halted."

Although the story had clearly been about Liow's comments, it did not attribute the source of that particular piece of information.

Malaysiakini has sought clarification from Liow and is awaiting response.

Meanwhile, Liow's aide Lim Chau Leng said he was not present when Liow made the statement and therefore declined to clarify on the matter.

Kuantan folk reacting to the supposed suspension today said it is still business as usual for the bauxite activities.

"The bauxite lorries are still everywhere," noted Facebook user Jamalarief Musa.

"It's still going on as usual," added Mat Nasir Mohd Nor.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh said she had also sought information about the supposed suspension from the government, but has yet to receive any forthcoming information.

"I asked when does it come into effect - no answer.

"I asked who will lead it and there is also no convincing answer," she said.

China has, in the last two years, set its sights on Kuantan as an alternative source of bauxite after Indonesia banned bauxite export in 2014.

The bauxite boom has brought new wealth to some in Kuantan, but is also threatening to become an environmental disaster.