Felda Bukit Goh settlers seeking answers
KUANTAN: The future of bauxite mining at Felda Bukit Goh here took centre stage at a public hearing and engagement with stakeholders in the mining industry at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee hall.
Elderly settlers voiced their concerns during the questionand-answer session on how the government was going to identify suitable measures to resume mining at the settlement and allow the settlers to return to a normal life.
Felda Bukit Goh Settler Welfare Committee deputy chairman Nik Abd Majid Nik Sin said the settlers were facing hardships as some plots of land had been mined while in some areas, oil palm trees had been cut down but mining work had yet to start.
The 75-year-old said in some areas, the oil palm trees remained but settlers could not work on the plantation because they had a contract with mining operators.
“Only 30 settlers had their lands completely mined and had earned between RM800,000 and RM2 million each but the rest of us are still uncertain. Some received RM30,000 as advance payments some three years ago and are yet to receive anything (more) till today.
“Most of the elderly residents in the settlement who leased their land for bauxite mining are now dependent on their children for financial support. If mining activities are not resumed, then it is going to be trouble for us,” he said.
Nik Abdul Majid said Felda was planning to conduct a replanting exercise next year.
“Some of the lands have been cleared for mining work and we have an agreement with the operator.
“We need to cover up the plots with top soil and only then will Felda be able to conduct the replanting exercise,” he said.
A second-generation Felda settler, Ahmad Johari, 40, said some of the settlers were cheated by middlemen and had not earned any income over the past three years.
“Some landowners were cheated and I hope the responsible parties will come down to the ground to listen to our problems. It will be a major setback if mining activities are not allowed in Bukit Goh... we are hoping for a decision on the matter soon,” he said.
Bauxite standard operating procedures (SOP) executive review committee chairman Professor Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah described the problems faced by settlers as complicated as they had signed agreements.
“We have to hold further discussions to look into a solution as the issue in Bukit Goh seems a little complex,” he said.