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- Published on Thursday, 07 January 2016 19:44
"I was reading recent media reports and write-ups on the bauxite mining in Pahang. I read about how the land owners became rich overnight because of the mineral.
"I also read of the serious hazards of pollution that occurred. With river waters turning red. It does appear that we do not seem to have learned any lessons from the past," she said a Facebook posting today.
The former international trade and industry minister said such large scale environmental damage can be difficult to rectify once inflicted.
"It is usually because things have gone too far before decisions are made to stop the exploitation, whether it is mining, legal or illegal, extraction of forests, real estate development and whatever else," she said.
She said the government should scrutinise the costs and benefits before giving the greenlight for projects which can cause large scale environmental damage.
"Short term 'benefits' especially to only a few, should never supersede the long term costs that would need to be borne by us, and the generations after us," she said.
The Cabinet on Wednesday ordered all bauxite mining operations in Pahang to be suspended for three months beginning Jan 15.
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the suspension is part of a moratorium following meetings with the Cabinet, which will require all stockpiles to be cleared first before any future mining can take place.
-theSundaily
