Bauxite moratorium: Operators conform to government's order

Effective Friday, all bauxite mining activities in the state must be stopped in accordance with the government's decision to impose a three-month moratorium on bauxite mining in the state.

All landowners, bauxite operators and lorry drivers should abide by the temporary suspension order to enable the formulation of an effective standard operating procedure (SOP) to address issues related to bauxite mining activities in Pahang.

A check by Bernama found that no activities were being carried out in the bauxite storage areas around Bukit Goh, Bukit Kuantan, Bukit Sagu, Kampung Bukit Kubang Badak, Jeram and Beserah.

Roads which were previously occupied by lorries to transport bauxite to the Kuantan port including the Kuantan Bypass Road, Jabor and the surrounding areas were found deserted.

Even lorries which were being parked on the roadside along the Kuantan Bypass Road were no longer seen there, believed to have been driven off by drivers who mostly came from outside the state.

Meanwhile, according to a staff at the Kuantan Port, bauxite lorries were last seen entering the port areas at about 11pm on Thursday.

"They have received the order and perhaps for fear of reprisal following the many operations being actively carried out by enforcement authorities at present," said the man who only wanted to be known as Azri to Bernama, here on Friday.

The Pahang police had conducted the second phase of a 24-hour operation starting midnight to ensure that all bauxite mining activities and the transportation of bauxite in this district were completely stopped.

The operation is being conducted at nine checkpoints including Bukit Kuantan, Tanjung Pasir, Kampung Padang, Taman Datuk Rashid, Shahpadu, Bukit Penggorak, Sungai Ular and Jabor.

Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Sharifuddin Ab Ghani, when contacted, said that so far no summonses and confiscation orders were issued.