KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resource and Environment Ministry will discuss with the Pahang state government on the proposal to ban the export of bauxite.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he understood the concerns and problems faced by Kuantan residents due to unregulated mining of bauxite in the area.
In his ministry's wind up of the 2016 Budget, Wan Junaidi said he agreed with the proposal by PKR's Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh on stopping the export of bauxite.
Fuziah asked if the ministry can stop issuing the export license for bauxite until a study on the impact to the health and environment is done.
Wan Junaidi said he agreed that the industry would come to a halt is exports were stopped.
"I agree with your idea YB but to stop the bauxite activities, there needs to be a discussion between the Federal and State governments.
"God willing, we will bring this matter up with the state government soon," he said.
It was reported that bauxite mining in the district had gone out of control.
In August, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the state government could not immediately put a stop to bauxite mining as it had to consider those earning a living off it.
Adnan said bauxite mining generated economic activities that had spin-off effects in the state.
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