The government's plan to mitigate the effects of bauxite mining in Pahang fails to address key issues, said Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh.

Among them, she said, is on how to deal with mining near waterways.

"There is no mention of mining activities and excavation of the earth nearby to waterways and upstream to water intake point.

"I am very concerned because this activity must also be stopped. This is the source of contamination to our rivers and drinking water," Fuziah told Malaysiakini .

She was reacting to the three-month moratorium on bauxite mining announced by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob today.

The moratorium focuses on clearing existing bauxite stockpiles, and construction of a central integrated stockpile centre, which will have facilities meant to prevent bauxite run-off into waterways.

"But run-off isn't just from stockpiles, it is also from excavations," Fuziah said.

She did, however, agree with government's plan to meet with all stakeholders to deal with the stockpiles.

Sustainable bauxite mining plan

Fuziah also emphasised on the need to rehabilitate Kuantan's environment.

"I am committed to bring back Kuantan to be green. The people must be able fish in its waters again.

"I think a win-win situation will be a sustainable bauxite mining plan, failing which, a total ban must be enforced," the PKR lawmaker said.

Adnan said at his press conference earlier that rehabilitation efforts will be part of the moratorium.

Bauxite mining in Kuantan has changed the landscape, which many have likened to planet Mars.

Run-off from mining activities has also been alleged to have contaminated rivers and the ocean, which could have dire consequences on Kuantan's residents and its fishing industry.