Mining Kenderong forest: Perak MB says licensees still need approval
Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad has attempted to play down a proposed tin mining project in what used to be the Kenderong Permanent Forest Reserve.
This comes after environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) objected to the project and urged the state government to regazette the 245-hectare area.
Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad has attempted to play down a proposed tin mining project in what used to be the Kenderong Permanent Forest Reserve.
This comes after environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) objected to the project and urged the state government to regazette the 245-hectare area.
This is equivalent to the size of 343 football fields.
Asked about SAM's concerns, Saarani did not confirm the matter but assured that licensed mining firms need government approvals before they can operate.
According to Harian Metro, he vowed to refer the case to the Perak government's investment and business vehicle Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc).
“I will get specific information (on this case) from MB Inc. It is not easy to operate mining (projects) even though you got the licence. You still have to wait for the Department of Environment (to approve your) environmental impact assessment (report),” he said.
SAM yesterday claimed that the permanent forest reserve had been degazetted after MB Inc issued a licence to a local mining company to operate there.
“Now I remember that this project is at the public hearing stage for non-renewable energy (NRE) standard operating procedures by the relevant ministry. This will also need to be taken into account.
We cannot simply make decisions without getting input from (the relevant) agencies and departments,” Saarani also said.
The Kenderong Forest Reserve is located in Kerunai, Gerik – about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Perak capital Ipoh.
Environmentally sensitive area
Yesterday, SAM president R Meenakshi raised alarm that mining and logging will cause environmental destruction may pollute water sources and jeopardise the livelihood of local communities.
She also said the Kenderong forest was classified as a “rank 1” area, which means no development or logging is allowed except “low impact” nature tourism, education and research.
Today, Saarani said he needed more details on the matter.
“We respect SAM but we still need to ask MB Inc (about this). The state government actually takes note of all of this. If it is an environmentally sensitive area, of course, we cannot do anything,” he said.
The menteri besar maintained that logging was permitted in forest reserves classified as “hutan simpan pengeluaran” (production forests).
Affected by arsenic
Asked about a previous tin mining project there that led to skin cancer among Kampung Ayer Ganda Orang Asli, he again said this factor would be taken into account.
“Nevermind. If this is true, we also don’t want the people to be affected by arsenic. If this is true, of course departments and agencies that have the authority will determine if there is any poisoning or not,” he said.
That same project had also led to the closure of the Ayer Ganda water treatment plant back in 2019 when arsenic was detected in nearby Sungai Lui.
