Kelantan DOE stresses EIA to safeguard local communities

The Kelantan Environment Department (DOE) director today expressed concern about the local community, especially the Orang Asli, as they are directly impacted by development.

Wan Aminordin Wan Kamarudin said that any large development of the state’s forest reserves must go through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“Any development activity carried out in Kelantan forest reserves exceeding 100ha must submit an EIA report,” he said.

He explained that EIA reports involve a socio-economic study of the population around the activity area, hence developers need to make a report first before starting operations.

“(An) EIA report is important to identify the affected areas, including the impact on water tables, the safety of residents, gardens, and other community-related matters following development, whether it is forest plantations or mining,” said Wan Aminordin.

He was speaking to reporters at the “4Xplore Explore Nature: Our Legacy on Earth with Environmental Friends” programme at Pos Pulat, Gua Musang.

The event was in conjunction with the Kelantan state-level World Environment Day 2025 celebration.

Wan Aminordin added that EIA reports involved comments and views from various agencies, including the Forestry Department, Land and Mines Office, and state Health Department.

“We set conditions that must be adhered to, including that developers must provide control measures such as sediment trap ponds and install infrastructure that can prevent erosion in the development area,” he said.

He also said that last year, the DOE issued a prohibition order on a mining company in Gua Musang and ordered it to cease operations immediately.

Mining halted over Sg Kelaik pollution

Previously, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry issued a stop-work order to two companies suspected of causing pollution at Sungai Kelaik, Pos Blau.

The order on Dec 18 last year came after DOE’s investigation into whether the two companies complied with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).

Sungai Kelaik water was previously reported to be contaminated with waste from iron ore mining plants to the point of turning the river red.

Meanwhile, Wan Aminordin said that only 20 percent of forest plantation projects that received EIA approval from the DOE since 2020 have been operational.

The other 80 percent have yet to begin operations, he added.

- Bernama

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