IPOH: A hilltop seen cleared in a viral video is a legally approved quarry operation, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He said the state government has taken note of the video circulating on social media showing quarry activities in Mukim Kampung Buaya, Kuala Kangsar, along with claims linking the site to illegal mining.
"The video is believed to have been taken from a helicopter and it appears that someone intentionally filmed it," he said at a press conference after opening the 9th Perak Literature Award ceremony here on Saturday (July 25).
"Our commitment is that this is a legal mining operation, not an illegal one. By legal, I mean that it has a valid mining licence issued by the state government a long time ago," he added.
The 35-second video, taken from a bird's-eye view, showed the top portion of a hill that had been cleared.
Social media users claimed the location was in Padang Rengas, Perak, triggering widespread discussion online.
Saarani said the quarry operation was carried out with valid approvals and licences and was subject to conditions set by the relevant authorities.
"The method used at the site differs from places such as Simpang Pulai. The extraction is carried out from the top down, but is subject to approval by the State Mineral Committee," he said.
He added that the operation used the benching method, which was considered safer as it helped stabilise quarry slopes.
Saarani said he had instructed the Perak Land and Mines Department, together with agencies including the Environment Department and the Mineral and Geoscience Department, to review the quarrying method to ensure it was safe and non-polluting.
"We do not know when the footage was taken. The technical agencies must verify whether the quarrying method is being carried out correctly, safely and without causing pollution," he said.
"The state government has taken note of the matter because it has gone viral, but any conclusion will depend on the findings of the technical agencies," he added.
On the event, Saarani said the changing reading habits of younger generations did not mean they had lost interest in literature.
He said the way young people discovered literary works had evolved, adding that literature must adapt by embracing digital books, audiobooks, stage performances, short films, animation and podcasts.
Saarani also noted that artificial intelligence (AI) was transforming the writing process.
He said AI could assist writers by making it easier to gather information, check language, organise content and speed up the writing process.
"We should not reject AI outright, but its use must be guided by honesty and responsibility," he said.
"Technology can support the writing process, but the ideas, convictions and experiences that give a work its identity must come from humans," he added.
