KUANTAN: Peace has prevailed over areas where bauxite is being stockpiled following seizure of 10 million tonnes of the ore by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Pahang on Aug 12.
In Felda Bukit Goh, where the stockpiles are located, villagers speak of stalled heavy machinery and the absence of lorries passing through their areas.
Felda Bukit Goh Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Mat Zahari Deraman said lorries no longer plied the roads in the village to transport bauxite to the Kuantan Port.
“There have been no lorries carrying bauxite. Also, there are no more complaints by villagers of noise from such lorries,” said the 68-year-old.
Zahari said the settlement had become more peaceful as villagers no longer had to worry about bauxite dust and their safety when travelling on the roads.
Pahang Mining Operators Association vice-president Yap Soon Huat urged the government to consider the welfare of miners who had been affected by the moratorium and the seizure of bauxite.
"The activity (transporting of bauxite) is vital to their (miners’) lifelihood such as to pay for the needs of their families," he said.
Yap said others affected by the seizure included operators of heavy machinery and labourers.
He said it was true that some miners were not fully dependent on bauxite-mining operations as they were also involved in mining for manganese and iron ore.
"However, not all miners can make the switch," he said, adding that some were fully focused on bauxite.
A medical officer in Felda Bukit Goh had a different sentiment.
Speaking anonymously, the officer said she welcomed the seizure order by MACC as it would safeguard the health of the residents.
"I used to see suspicious lorries transporting red earth through Felda Bukit Goh when I was going to work," she said.
She said in January last year when she started working in Felda Bukit Goh, she used to treat a number of patients with bouts of coughing and other ailments, which could be linked to the presence of bauxite in the area.
On Aug 12, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki announced that the graftbuster would seize 10 million tonnes of bauxite in Pahang to facilitate a probe into graft linked to illegal bauxite-mining activities.
Azam had said that the stockpile seized could be held up to 18 months and that those who violated the MACC seizure notice faced action under Section 69 of the MACC Act 2009.
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, state secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail, state Land and Mines Office director Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar, and state MACC director Datuk Alias Salim did not answer calls and reply to text messages.