BLUE WATER PHENOMENON: THREE MINING COMPANIES ALLOWED TO RESUME OPERATIONS - SAARANI

IPOH, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Three mining companies whose operations were previously suspended following the incident involving the Sungai Perak water turning blue were allowed to resume operations beginning Jan 13.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the decision to allow the companies to resume operations was made after a comprehensive investigation by the relevant authorities found no grounds to maintain the suspension.

“When the companies were temporarily suspended earlier, it was to allow a thorough investigation to be carried out to determine the cause of the water in the river turning blue.

“There may have been violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the companies involved, whether intentional or otherwise. That was why investigations were conducted by the relevant technical departments, and once they were satisfied with the findings, the companies were allowed to resume operations,” he said.

Saarani said this after attending the Perak Integrity and Anti-Corruption Convention 2026, and the state-level launch of the Keep Malaysia Clean (KMC) programme, at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, here, today.

On Nov 19, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), through the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG), issued a temporary suspension order against three mining companies for failing to comply with the Mining Operation Scheme Approval Letter (SKSPM).

In the same statement, NRES said the suspension was imposed following inspections and water quality sampling, conducted by JMG, at several mining sites in Hulu Perak, after complaints were received over pollution in Sungai Rui, Sungai Kijang, Sungai Kepayang and Sungai Perak, towards the end of October last year.

Meanwhile, Saarani said the state government would take firm action against any non-compliance in mining activities involving natural resources and the environment, particularly those that could pose risks to public safety.

“If any violations are proven, we will place the health and safety of the people above the need to generate revenue from mining activities. Therefore, all parties must comply with regulations to ensure that incidents such as this do not recur,” he said.

-- BERNAMA