Putting a stop: The bauxite mine in Felda Bukit Goh has caused a lot of environmental and health problems. – filepic
PORT DICKSON: Felda has stopped all bauxite mining application and activities in Bukit Goh, Pahang.
Its chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad said they would discuss the bauxite mining activities with the state government.
“Felda has also frozen all application for bauxite mining as well as its activities in Felda Bukit Goh," he told reporters after hosting an Aidilfitri open house here.
He was commenting on reports that the miners were allegedly cheated in connection with bauxite mining on their land in Felda Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang.
Mohd Isa said the measure taken by the state government so far was appropriate so that mining would be better regulated and benefit both parties.
Felda would work closely with the state government to help achieve this, he said.
Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob had earlier advised Felda settlers to bring a civil suit against bauxite mining contractors if they feel that they have been cheated.
He added that some settlers were persuaded to sign over the power of attorney to the contractors, effectively giving their land away.
The problem with most settlers, he added, was that they were always looking for short-term benefits.
A group of Felda Bukit Goh settlers have proposed that Adnan grant them mining licences, saying that this could help resolve issues like pollution and cheating.
At present, all mining activities in the settlement are not sanctioned.
Recently, 71 settlers were served notices by the district Land and Mines Office, warning them that mining without permits could land them in jail for up to 10 years or fined RM500,000 or both.
Adnan had ordered 34 mineral ore licences in the state to be terminated by July 31 to curb rampant bauxite mining.
