EDITOR’S NOTE;
The Star – an MCA-owned
daily newspaper, today - Wednesday, December 16, carried a front-page story on bauxite under the headline
– Red alert.
Written by it’s
Kuantan-based reporters; Qishin Tariq and Ong Han Sean, the full story that
appeared in the subsequent page, has among others quoting experts as saying
that bauxite mining areas in Pahang could cause dangerous mudslides and worsen
floods if monsoon rains lash the state as expected.
In response to
this, Menteri Besar Dato’ Sri DiRaja Adnan Yaakob who is still abroad,
attending his youngest son graduation ceremony; has sms-ed to the local media-people
the following brief statement;
WISMA SRI
PAHANG, KUANTAN
– The Pahang State Government welcomes and appreciates media reporting on the
bauxite mining activities in Pahang.
The
State Government has also received many complaints from many quarters; be
they within UMNO and BN, so are from NGOs and some concerned individuals
regarding this issue.
The
Menteri Besar was not sitting still. He had on numerous occasions engaged in
discussions with the stakeholders on this issue.
The
Menteri Besar has met, no less than four (4) times with the operators,
contractors and transport operators, advising them to take into consideration
the hardship the people are experiencing due to their irresponsible mode
of extracting the ore.
Sadly,
this advice has fallen on deaf ears.
‘WELFARE OF THE
INNOCENT COMMON PEOPLE MUST OUTWEIGH WHATEVER ECONOMIC BENEFITS’
In
the meantime, the Federal Government has stepped in to assist the State
Government in handling this issue and the State Government highly appreciates
this.
InsyaAllah
by year-end, the State Government will come up with a comprehensive plan to
manage this issue.
To
all media – both mainstream and social, political parties, NGOs and concerned
individuals; the State Government wishes to record it’s appreciation.
In
the final analysis, the social benefit and welfare of the innocent common
people must outweigh whatever economic benefits. – Khabar
