PKR has questioned the contradictory statements made by National Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the Kuantan Port Consortium with regard to the “red sea” phenomenon in Kuantan.

Commenting on the statement made by Wan Junaidi today, PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh pointed out how the minister had admitted that the “red sea” in Kuantan was indeed caused by bauxite mining activities.

“This contradicts the previous statement made by the Kuantan Port Consortium (KPC).

“I advise those involved in this matter to check what exactly that had occurred before giving inaccurate answers,” Syed Ibrahim said in a statement today.

The rakyat, he said, will continue to monitor the issue until it gets resolved.

Wan Junaidi and Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaacob today announced a three-month moratorium on mining starting from Jan 15 to facilitate the clearing of existing stockpiles.

Wan Junaidi had admitted the run-off from bauxite stockpiles had caused pollution, including the “red sea” at Pantai Batu Hitam.

As such, he has also ordered Kuantan Port authority to clean up its facilities.

The KPC on Monday denied that the 'red sea' at Pantai Balok and Pantai Batu Hitam, Kuantan was caused by bauxite mining activities.

This is because the rivers that lead out to the sea at the two areas are not connected to Sungai Pengorak, KPC chief operating officer Khasbullah A Kadir had said.