KUALA LUMPUR – The Environment and Water Ministry has given an assurance that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the exploration of rare earth elements (REE) in Kedah will be studied in detail.
Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the Environment Department has yet to receive any application for the approval of the report.
“The ministry is serious about the significant impact on the environment, and recommends that these environmentally sensitive areas be fully protected and preserved to ensure the continuity of the ecosystem, for safe water supply, food security, and preservation of flora and fauna,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was replying to a question from Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-Permatang Pauh), who wanted the ministry to state the measures taken to protect Ulu Muda, a raw water source for some 4.2 million people in Kedah, Perlis and Penang, from the effects of pollution should the exploration of REE be allowed to continue in an area covering 163,000ha.
He said the ministry will emphasise environmental sustainability to ensure the well-being of the people and national development.
Tuan Ibrahim said the Kedah government has sacrificed a lot by not conducting exploration work in the Ulu Muda water catchment area.
“For the record, I have just been given confirmation by the Kedah menteri besar, who assured me that the water catchment area will not be explored, and any logging activity previously approved in the area will be (given another area).
“It would be good if Penang, which has benefited tremendously, can contribute financially to Kedah, which has sacrificed (to protect) water catchment areas to ensure that states’ water resources are guaranteed.” – Bernama, December 10, 2020
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