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No to mining activities in permanent forest reserves and environmentally sensitive areas

  • Publication Date | November 14, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Conservation, Mining & Extractives, Pollution, Toxics, Wildlife
  • Tags | Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Permanent Reserved Forest, Rare-Earth Minerals
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Mining in Kenering | File Picture | Image Credit: TF

This is a joint statement issued by several NGOs opposing mining activities in
permanent forest reserves and environmentally sensitive areas

Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), urge all State Authorities, especially in the states of Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Pahang where mining has been reported, to prohibit mining activities in Permanent Reserved Forests (PRFs) and environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs).

All State Authorities are also urged to reconsider and cancel the approval of mining operations in those areas.

These demands are in line with the decision made at the 70th National Land Council (MTN) Meeting on 18 November 2014 that all states take the initiative to control or as far as possible avoid any approval of mining and quarrying activities in the PRF and ESA areas.

The MTN was apt in making this decision because mining and quarrying activities in the PRF area will directly affect sustainable forest management which is the core of national forest management.

For example, the proposed location of the rare earth element (REE) mining in the state of Kedah is in the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve (HS Bukit Enggang) while in the state of Perak it is located in part of the ‘Central Forest Spine’ Ecological Network Corridor 1 – Primary Linkage 8: Kenderong Forest Reserve – HS Bintang Hijau, Hulu Perak District (CFS Ecological Network Corridor 1 – PL 8: HS Kenderong – HS Bintang Hijau).

Based on Section 2 of the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313), rare earth-based mineral resources are not defined as forest products, therefore they cannot be excavated from the PRF area.

When the issue of illegal REE mining in HS Bukit Enggang arose recently, YAB Menteri Besar of Kedah’s explanation during the recent State Assembly Session was seen as not showing seriousness in dealing with the issue.

Why are the State Authorities not questioning the two relevant agencies, namely the State Forestry Department (the agency that manages and has jurisdiction over forest reserves) and Menteri Besar Incorporated (a subsidiary of the State Government that was given a Use Permit to carry out activities in HS Bukit Enggang)?

It is impossible for the two agencies to not know what is happening when it is a restricted area for those who are not concerned. This became public knowledge only after the media revealed the issue of illegal REE mining and theft at HS Bukit Enggang.

Nearby villagers also informed us that the REE mining operation at HS Bukit Enggang has caused their water source to be polluted. Majority of the villagers here still use water sourced from the forest reserve and this has been approved by the Forestry Department.

The statement of the Menteri Besar of Kedah is also misleading when he stated that MB Inc confirms that the water source from the REE mining area is not contaminated as this agency is not an authoritative and qualified agency to confirm whether the water source is contaminated or otherwise.

In the issue of mining in Mukim Kenering, Perak, based on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA), the proposed Rare Earth Element Mining area is categorised as an Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank 1 (ESA Rank 1) and an Ecological Network Corridor that has been identified for conservation and protection.

In fact, based on the National Physical Plan (NPP), the management measures in ESA Rank 1 are that no development, agriculture and logging activities are allowed except for low-impact nature tourism, research and education purposes only.

The EIA Report of the Proposed Rare Earth Element Mining in Mukim Kenering in the state of Perak clearly states that the project’s earth works will have a destructive impact either directly or indirectly on the wildlife habitats here including aquatic life and the potential loss of wildlife species.

This is in addition to the fact that the total period of mining operations is expected to be quite lengthy, which is 12 years, while the approval period for the mining license is too long, which is up to 30 years.

The expected period of mining and the period of mining approval which is too long will indirectly cause habitat destruction which can adversely impact the wildlife in the area.

Another issue is how mining operations can be carried out before obtaining the approval of the EIA as ‘google map’ review and drone footage have found that earthworks have been carried out and there are structures of the hydrometallurgical plant at the location of the proposed project. We hereby urge all State Authorities to take appropriate action to stop and no longer allow any destructive activities such as mining operations in permanent forest reserves and environmentally sensitive areas. The government must not put profit before people and the environment. These environmentally sensitive ecosystems must be protected and not exploited.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President, Consumers Association of Penang

This statement is supported by
Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA)
Persatuan Penggerak Bumi Hijau Malaysia (Bumi Hijau)
Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (GRASS)
Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (PEKA Malaysia)
Pertubuhan Rangkaian Pembangunan Kesinambungan Malaysia (SUSDEN Malaysia)
Sahabat Alam Sik (SAS)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

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

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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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