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PAHANG, Malaysia: Along a dusty red road in Malaysia's central Pahang state, a family-run restaurant is struggling to survive.
Salwani Tajuddin said that in almost two decades of running the eatery, she has never seen business as bad as when bauxite mining came to town.
"This is where we make a living. If there's dust everywhere, this whole kitchen covered in dust, how are we going to run our business? Serve customers sand? Serve them dust? It's tough," she told Channel NewsAsia.
The process of mining and transporting bauxite, an aluminium-making ore has left layers of red dust coating everything from trees to cars in certain areas around the state capital of Kuantan.
Bauxite, an aluminium-making ore has left layers of red dust coating everything
(Photo: Sumisha Naidu)
Bauxite mining began in Kuantan in 2013 but demand soared after Indonesia banned exports of mineral ore to encourage domestic processing. Demand from China then shifted to Malaysia. The Southeast Asian nation supplied some 20 million metric tonnes of bauxite to China in the first 11 months of 2015.
It has been a lucrative business for the state. Pahang made US$10.7 million off bauxite exports in 2015. But this is of little concern to residents who are worried about the environment and their health.
It is something even those who benefit from the pollution, like car wash owner Natrah Mohd Yusof, fear.
"For our business, we're happy," she said. "But now I'm sick, I'm coughing."
There are also fears of health risks from contaminated water. Rivers and seas have begun turning red after heavy rain - something residents blame on the mining. The federal and state governments said they are aware of the concerns and are analysing water pollution levels. They are also suspending all mining activities in the state for three months beginning Jan 15.
Rivers and seas have begun turning red after heavy rain (Photo: Syafiq Safian)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/blob/2410596/1452266888000/bauxite-malaysia-4-data.jpg
At a joint press conference with Malaysia's Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Pahang Chief Minister Adnan Yaakob urged residents to stay calm.
"Remain calm, we are doing everything possible to assist them," he said.
"We are not in denial ... we're not playing the blame game but we are doing our fullest to make sure that the welfare of the people at all times supersedes any other benefits including monetary benefits."
The suspension period will be used to clear existing stockpiles and enforce stricter regulations in an industry that may be tainted with corruption.
"THERE IS A LOT TO DO"
Malaysia's anti-corruption commission is trying to clamp down on this, detaining four government officials on Wednesday, suspected of taking bribes from illegal miners. Given the state of the business, the opposition Member of Parliament for Kuantan Fuziah Salleh believes a longer suspension may be needed.
"I think (the suspension) is a step forward considering what has happened, considering that the damage to the environment is very, very extensive," she told Channel NewsAsia. "I think we have achieved one step. But there is a lot to do. I doubt three months is enough."
The government is suspending all mining activities in the state for three months beginning Jan 15 (Photo: Syafiq Safian)
However, for those who work in the bauxite industry, three months is long enough.
"We just want to work. If we don't work one day, our kids don't eat, no one eats," one contractor lamented.
This is ultimately why many Kuantan residents like Salwani are torn as well about a complete shutdown of the bauxite industry. They know that without it, there would be a loss of income for fellow residents, especially those who have allowed mining to take place on their oil palm estates.
"We don't rely on bauxite mining so it's okay, but we pity those who work in the industry," said Zulaiha, Salwani's sister. "If it stops, what can they do? Their land is now unusable"
For now, however, the state government has indicated it has no intention of putting a permanent end to this lucrative industry.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pahang-residents-suffer/2409926.html
Salwani Tajuddin said that in almost two decades of running the eatery, she has never seen business as bad as when bauxite mining came to town.
"This is where we make a living. If there's dust everywhere, this whole kitchen covered in dust, how are we going to run our business? Serve customers sand? Serve them dust? It's tough," she told Channel NewsAsia.
The process of mining and transporting bauxite, an aluminium-making ore has left layers of red dust coating everything from trees to cars in certain areas around the state capital of Kuantan.
Bauxite, an aluminium-making ore has left layers of red dust coating everything
(Photo: Sumisha Naidu)
Bauxite mining began in Kuantan in 2013 but demand soared after Indonesia banned exports of mineral ore to encourage domestic processing. Demand from China then shifted to Malaysia. The Southeast Asian nation supplied some 20 million metric tonnes of bauxite to China in the first 11 months of 2015.
It has been a lucrative business for the state. Pahang made US$10.7 million off bauxite exports in 2015. But this is of little concern to residents who are worried about the environment and their health.
It is something even those who benefit from the pollution, like car wash owner Natrah Mohd Yusof, fear.
"For our business, we're happy," she said. "But now I'm sick, I'm coughing."
There are also fears of health risks from contaminated water. Rivers and seas have begun turning red after heavy rain - something residents blame on the mining. The federal and state governments said they are aware of the concerns and are analysing water pollution levels. They are also suspending all mining activities in the state for three months beginning Jan 15.
Rivers and seas have begun turning red after heavy rain (Photo: Syafiq Safian)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/blob/2410596/1452266888000/bauxite-malaysia-4-data.jpg
At a joint press conference with Malaysia's Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Pahang Chief Minister Adnan Yaakob urged residents to stay calm.
"Remain calm, we are doing everything possible to assist them," he said.
"We are not in denial ... we're not playing the blame game but we are doing our fullest to make sure that the welfare of the people at all times supersedes any other benefits including monetary benefits."
The suspension period will be used to clear existing stockpiles and enforce stricter regulations in an industry that may be tainted with corruption.
"THERE IS A LOT TO DO"
Malaysia's anti-corruption commission is trying to clamp down on this, detaining four government officials on Wednesday, suspected of taking bribes from illegal miners. Given the state of the business, the opposition Member of Parliament for Kuantan Fuziah Salleh believes a longer suspension may be needed.
"I think (the suspension) is a step forward considering what has happened, considering that the damage to the environment is very, very extensive," she told Channel NewsAsia. "I think we have achieved one step. But there is a lot to do. I doubt three months is enough."
The government is suspending all mining activities in the state for three months beginning Jan 15 (Photo: Syafiq Safian)
However, for those who work in the bauxite industry, three months is long enough.
"We just want to work. If we don't work one day, our kids don't eat, no one eats," one contractor lamented.
This is ultimately why many Kuantan residents like Salwani are torn as well about a complete shutdown of the bauxite industry. They know that without it, there would be a loss of income for fellow residents, especially those who have allowed mining to take place on their oil palm estates.
"We don't rely on bauxite mining so it's okay, but we pity those who work in the industry," said Zulaiha, Salwani's sister. "If it stops, what can they do? Their land is now unusable"
For now, however, the state government has indicated it has no intention of putting a permanent end to this lucrative industry.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pahang-residents-suffer/2409926.html
