Pahang to prevent repeat of 'red sea' phenomenon

KUANTAN: The Pahang state government is determined to prevent a repeat of the ' red sea' phenomenon caused by bauxite contamination here, at the end of last year.

State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Samsudin said the state government would issue a comprehensive guideline on bauxite mining based on lessons learned from the prvious incident.

"What happened before is an experience. That's why we have the moratorium, to enable us to reevaluate on how to carry out bauxite mining without any pollution.

"Pahang is the first state to produce bauxite, hence the shortcomings. We will improve on it and other states can also learn from our experience," he told a media conference after f lagging off Balok Wind Challenge participants here yesterday.

He said seaside tourists were among the elements that were being considered in ensuring that Kuantan's 11 beautiful beaches such as Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Pantai Balok, Pantai Batu Hitam, Pantai Cherating and Pantai Sungai Ular remain unpolluted by the phenomenon.

Meanwhile, the state government has drawn up 10 seaside tourism activities in 2016, among them, Slide The City Kuantan, Kuantan Beach Run, Teluk Cempedak Downhill Challenge, Cherating Eco & Environment Green Run and Beserah Tengkujuh Ride.

"This is a warming up and promotion for the Visit Pahang Year 2017 as many foreign tourists would be taking part.

"We want the visitors to know about the beauty of our beaches so that they will return again next year with their families," Mohd Sharkar said.