Having signed a memorandum of understanding with a China firm to explore rare earth mining in the state, the Perak government's Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) said it is mindful about the radioactive disaster in Bukit Merah during the 1990s.

"We were informed that there is a material called lanthanide in Perak and we also understand the sensitivities surrounding rare earths which is why we are working closely with state agencies and the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry to look at the potential first.