MP: GET INFO ON BAUXITE MINING SOP
People can give feedback and share concerns at dialogue on April 14, says Fuziah
LAWMAKER Fuziah Salleh yesterday urged the public to attend a dialogue on bauxite mining standard operating procedures (SOP) on April 14 to voice their views and concerns about the matter.
She said people should talk to officials from the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry and other stakeholders during the session.
“They (public) can ask questions and get feedback at the session. They can seek information on various aspects, including SOP for the pre-mining to the post-mining stage.”
Fuziah, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Kuantan member of parliament, was commenting on Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s statement on Wednesday that a public hearing would be held with all stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, on April 14.
Xavier said the dialogue would be held to get the public’s feedback on SOP expected to be enforced under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
The SOP will be made available on his ministry’s website for viewing beginning March 31.
Fuziah said she welcomed Xavier’s announcement that the government would only allow mining to resume once industry players were ready to implement and enforce the SOP.
“I hope this will provide some relief to the people here, who are worried about plans to allow bauxite mining to resume next month.”