KUANTAN: BAUXITE-LADEN lorries are still travelling in and out of Felda Bukit Goh here, but the numbers have dwindled over the past two days.
Following a series of reports by the New Straits Times over illegal bauxite-mining activities in the area, residents claimed the number of heavy vehicles traversing in and out of the area had greatly reduced.
Felda Bukit Goh Village Development and Security Committee chairman Mat Zahari Derahman said the number of lorries carrying bauxite using the route was not as high as it used to be.
“I saw only a few lorries while going out to the city centre.
“Maybe, they are laying low and obeying to the guidelines at the moment due to extensive reports in the media,” he said yesterday.
Zahari said although bauxite mining was a source of income for many — from landowners to lorry drivers — it is hoped that they could comply with the guidelines at all times.
“They should follow the daily trip limit and clean the vehicles’ tyres for every trip.
“They are sharing the road with other motorists, so they should think about others as well,” he said.
On the state government’s decision not to halt the bauxite operations, Zahari said it was fair to the current landowners.
“That is their source of income, so let them continue.
“As for landowners who are still waiting for their turn, maybe they should reconsider,” he said.
On Monday, NST’s Special Probes Team reported that the uncontrolled and unregulated mining of bauxite in Pahang could unleash deadly radioactive material into the environment, contaminating the air and water sources.
An analysis of samples gathered by NST from Sungai Pengorak and Pantai Pengorak showed traces of thorium, uranium and high levels of aluminium.
Thorium, a radioactive metal, if inhaled, could remain in the lungs for a long time, and increases the risk of developing lung, pancreatic and bone cancers.
Pahang Public Amenities and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak had earlier said it was not harmful to humans or marine life.
He had said that analysis conducted by the state Environment Department showed that waters near Tanjung Gelang, which had apparently been contaminated by bauxite washed up from the stockpile in Kuantan Port after recent rains, were free of heavy metals.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya had suggested that shutting down all bauxite mines in the state would be the most effective solution, and added that there would be great repercussions if bauxite mining operations were not halted.
He had urged all stakeholders, including the ministry, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Pahang government, to come up with the best possible solution.