THE Green Party has accused the federal government of applying inconsistent environmental standards in its management of natural resources, amid growing tensions over sand extraction and rare earth mining in Pahang.
Parti Hijau Malaysia secretary-general Abdul Razak Ismail questioned why river sand exports were restricted on environmental grounds while rare earth element (REE) mining and exports continued to be permitted despite concerns over ecological damage.
“Mining river sand for export is not allowed… because it damages the environment. But mining rare earths for export is fine… supposedly it doesn’t affect the environment or the forest ecosystem, flora, and fauna??… mmmm,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
The criticism comes as tensions deepen between the federal government and Pahang over control and management of the state’s natural resources.
The debate intensified recently after the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, called on the federal government to restore the state’s authority over sand mining operations, citing both environmental protection and economic interests.
Pahang remains one of Malaysia’s key producers of river sand, generating substantial revenue from extraction activities, although state authorities have argued that existing federal restrictions have limited the economic benefits returned to the state.
At the centre of the latest dispute is Malaysia’s expanding rare earth industry, which has become increasingly strategic because of rising global demand for minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy technology and advanced electronics.
Environmental groups and civil society organisations have repeatedly warned that REE mining projects risk causing deforestation, water pollution and long-term ecological disruption if not tightly regulated.
Parti Hijau Malaysia has previously urged the government to prohibit exports of rare earth elements to the United States, arguing that intensified mining activity could devastate forest reserves and sensitive ecosystems.
“Condemning sand exports but approving rare earth mining is inconsistent and raises serious questions about the government’s environmental priorities,” Razak said.
The dispute also reflects wider national debate over how Malaysia should balance economic growth, resource exploitation and environmental sustainability as demand for strategic minerals accelerates globally. - May 10, 2026
