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Forest in jeopardy: SAM calls for mining project halt in Mukim Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut, Pahang

  • Publication Date | June 30, 2021
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Conservation, Forest Conversions, Mining & Extractives, Pollution, Toxics, Waste
  • Tags | Central Forest Spine, EIA, environmentally sensitive area, iron ore, Kuala Tembeling, Pahang, Som Forest Reserve
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is concerned about the spate of mining projects being proposed in forest reserves.  The most recent proposal of which an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been submitted for public review is the proposed iron ore mining project at Mukim Kuala Tembeling, Jerantut in the state of Pahang.

Advertisement inviting public comments to the EIA on the proposed iron ore mining

The proposed project intends to excavate iron ore at an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Rank 2, covering 60.75 hectares.  The proposed site is located in Som Forest Reserve, which is within the central forest spine corridor (CFS1 – SL2:  Krau Wildlife Reserve – HS Bencah – HS Som – HS Yong, hence the categorization as ESA Rank 2.

It is disheartening that environmentally destructive projects such as open cast mining are being proposed at sites that are rich with biodiversity. This project would cause irreversible damage to the natural landscape, flora, and fauna.   Wildlife habitat will be adversely affected as the proposed site is situated in the CFS corridor, a secondary linkage serving as a bridge for wildlife to move from one primary forest to another. In this case, these corridors connect the Krau Wildlife Reserve in Raub with Som Forest Reserve in Jerantut.

Any disturbance here could invite disastrous implications to the local wildlife in this area. According to a statement made by the then Director of Perhilitan of Pahang in 2018, Mr. Ahmad Azahar Mohammed, “poachers would usually enter forest areas which have been cleared and have access to the jungle to bring out their catch. Animals that occupy forest areas that have been cleared would usually leave their habitat to find food.  Among the hot spots that the department has identified in Pahang are Kemasul (Bentong), Tekai (Jerantut) and Berkelah (Kuantan)”.

Habitat fragmentation, loss of food resources and, natural habitat force these animals to flee from their habitats and wander into human settlements. This in the end causes more human-wildlife conflicts to happen in a time where the latter is occurring rampantly.

Trees uprooted, elephant footprint and dung have been sighted close to a nearby village | Pictures used with courtesy

Based on the EIA report of the project, the proposed site houses many wild animals which are classified as vulnerable, critically endangered, and threatened in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and also in IUCN’s Red List. Species of animals found here are the Malayan tigers, panthers, tapirs, elephants, and deer like the rusa and kijang as well.

The population of these wild animals has seriously declined over the years caused by rampant development and human-wildlife conflicts. We are concerned that if the mining project is approved, it will further escalate the already worsened situation to a stage where repairing or reinstating the disturbed terrains of the proposed site will be mere impossible and it will also force these animals to live in a constant state of peril and fear.  

To make matters worse, salt licks were found less than 500 metres away from the proposed project site. This natural geological structure plays an important role in providing the necessary mineral nutrients for wild animals like tapirs, deer, and elephants. Section 85 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 clearly states that “no salt licks or the land in the immediate vicinity of any salt lick should be disturbed”. Hence, if this project is allowed, the project proponent will be in violation of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

The proposed mining operation would also permanently alter the natural terrain which will affect the roaming routes of wildlife where several may get lost along the way and may end up far from their normal roaming range. This could cause intense distress for these wild animals, especially in terms of suffering from lack of nutrients and unable to live a normal way of life.

Our forests and biodiversity should be at the forefront when this proposed mining project and the EIA are being reviewed. Malaysia is a signatory to various international treaties aimed at combating climate change and protecting forests and biodiversity. We also have legislation that is meant to protect both forests and biodiversity. All of these must be respected. Once we lose our forests and biodiversity, there is no way we can rehabilitate the area to the way it was before.

SAM urges the Department of Environment (DOE) not to allow this project by approving the EIA report.  We have to preserve and protect our wildlife and natural environment in a time where the world is working hard towards preserving our already deteriorated environment and biodiversity. The EIA must be rejected.

We also reiterate our call to the Federal and State governments not to approve mining projects in forest reserves and environmentally sensitive areas, which must be protected from all destructive projects.

Meenakshi Raman
President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Tel: +604 827 6930
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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