Kenderong forest: Government to check status of land before moving ahead with mining and logging project, says MB

IPOH: The state government will check on the status of the land proposed for a logging and mining project at the Kenderong forest reserve in Hulu Perak,says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The Perak Mentri Besar said he would getting a complete report over the matter from Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBInc) first.

"We respect the concerns raised by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).

"If the area mentioned is indeed a environment sensitive area, of course such activities cannot be carried out there.

"But before I can make any comments, I need to get the complete information from the relevant departments and agencies first," he told a press conference after a dialogue session with members of Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia here on Saturday (Feb 5).

Saarani was asked to comment on SAM’s statement issued on Friday (Feb 4) objecting to the proposed project on a 245ha plot site under an environmentally sensitive area under Rank One.

SAM’s president Meenakshi Raman had said that according to the cover page of the environment impact assessment (EIA), the mining leaseholder was MBInc.

Saarani however said it was not that simple to conduct mining even though there was a license, as the final say would always be after the EIA report was out.

As for a permanent forest reserve, he said it was divided into production forests, and protection forests.

"Under the production forests category, logging is allowed.

"Thus we will have to look into all factors before making any decision," he added.

When asked on SAMs claim that the location was the same one where traces of arsenic were found at the Air Ganda water intake point in 2019 caused by a licensed mining company, he said the interests of the people was a priority at all times.

"All such factors and consequences are always taken into consideration by the relevant agencies.

"Of course the state government will not allow for the lives of people to be in any sort danger, including arsenic poisoning," he added.