PUTRAJAYA:The Health Ministry will monitor the bauxite issue in Pahang closely by keeping track of reported health cases that are reported once the moratarium on the mining of the mineral is lifted in April.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the matter was raised in the Cabinet today, but declined to elaborate further on what had transpired in the meeting regarding the bauxite issues.
"Yes, the matter was discussed as we do not work in silo. We exchange views with (relevant) ministries including those taking care of the environment and (from us) on the health matters.
"We will keep track of the statistics involving health cases like respiratory tract infection recorded at the clinics. We will see if there is a spike of such cases.
"We will monitor the water and fresh fruits (for instance) for heavy metal elements. What is important for the ministry is that the rakyat will not suffer as the result of the mobilisation of the (mining) activities," he said.
The New Straits Times today highlighted the views of various quarters including environmental groups and even former Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Wan Junaidi was the minister who had imposed the moratorium three years ago, due to very serious environmental effects that resulted from the mining activities and run-offs from unsecured stockpiles that contaminated water sources, turning roads, rivers and coastal waters red and severely impacted local communities, including fisherfolk who were adversely affected.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar was reported as saying that the moratorium on the mining and export of bauxite from Pahang which scheduled to end on March 31 would not be extended.
Following the announcement, all activities on the mining and export of the mineral can be resumed, although this time with a new standard operating procedure (SOP) as well as tighter enforcement of the law.
He also said the profit derived from the bauxite industry was enormous with Pahang recorded a revenue of RM47 million from royalty payment in 2015 alone.
But, the decision to lift the moratorium on bauxite mining and export had received strong criticism from many quarters especially among environmentalists, consumer rights groups and from two Pahang assemblymen whose constituencies were affected by bauxite mining.