Sultan: Keep environs clean

Seeing red: The road leading to the Kuantan Port is caked in dust.

KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang wants all mining operations in the state to operate in line with sustainable practices.

Sultan Ahmad Shah also hopes that the environment is taken into consideration by the Government in its efforts to implement projects under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans for the benefit of the people.

He said air and river pollution should not be allowed to persist as it would only trouble the people.

“I call on the mining operators to be more responsible in cleaning their transport vehicles as dirty lorries will affect the cleanliness of the road, soil road users’ vehicles and disrupt the people’s comfort,” the Ruler said in a speech read out by Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah at the opening of the state assembly sitting here yesterday.

It was reported recently that the sea near the Kuantan Port was being “stained red” from bauxite dust each time there was heavy rain.

Sultan Ahmad Shah said he had been informed that the Land and Mines Office, the Road Transport Department, Land Public Transport Commission, the police and the People’s Volunteer Corps had conducted a joint operation last month.

“I was told that 65 lorries have been issued compounds totalling RM785,700. The operation has managed to reduce the pollution.”

On the dengue epidemic, Sultan Ahmad Shah expressed sadness that the disease was still a major problem in the state.

“I understand that there has been an increase in recorded cases and this is worrying me,” he said.

He said the total number of cases last year was 2,170 with six deaths and this year, there were already 989 cases with four deaths.

The Sultan said in spite of efforts by the Health Department in taking preventive measures, it was not enough if hygiene problems and the existence of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds were not tackled.