The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, today called on the federal and Pahang governments to come up with a holistic solution to the bauxite mining issue in the state.

He said the three-month moratorium from Jan 15 on bauxite mining in the state should be utilised well to find out the weaknesses in the activity that had led to the serious water and environmental pollution.

The federal and state governments should find the best long-term solution not only to the bauxite issue but also to all mineral mining activities, he told reporters, after chairing a meeting of the Pahang Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council in Jerantut today.

Tengku Abdullah said the holistic solution could ensure that all mineral mining activities in the state could be conducted in a sustainable manner without harm to the people and environment.

The federal government yesterday announced a three-month moratorium from Jan 15 on bauxite mining in Pahang and outlined measures the industry must implement during the period to stop the pollution.

The measures include clearing all bauxite stockpiles, setting up of an integrated storage area and implementing a bauxite waste treatment system.

Tengku Abdullah welcomed the moratorium and said he hoped that all quarters would respect the decision and not resort to shortening the period for vested interests.

"I believe the decision is made purely to find weaknesses and not to shut down the industry," he said.

He did not deny that mining activities came with risks, including security and health of the people, and as such, wanted the existing procedures to be streamlined.

Commenting on the possibility of corruption in the activity, Tengku Abdullah said that should not be the case if the authorities practised integrity in the implemention of their duty.

"If the procedures are implemented well, corruption can be avoided," he said.

- Bernama

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