Better be Kedah rather than an illusory Wakedah

 

Social media users are beginning to call or even rename the present state of Kedah as Wakedah.

The recent discovery of rare earth elements (RRE) worth RM62 billion, and not RM43 trillion as stated by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor, promises a bright and wealthy future for the people in Kedah.

Sanusi, in his excitement or hallucination, announced a few days ago that a deal had been struck between a local company with a foreign connection and Kedah state to exploit the REE deposits in places like Sik, Ulu Muda and Baling.

The extraction will be done through pipes and not conventional mining.

Since the minerals are non-radioactive, their exploitation posed no inherent danger to the public.

Sanusi pleaded with the federal government to facilitate the state to extract these minerals that could enrich the lives of his people in Kedah.

According to Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), an environmental watch group, Sanusi, in his eagerness to develop the resources, might have overlooked environmental concerns.

Even if the minerals are non- radioactive, the very act of mining is of grave concern.

Whether REE or not, the very act of mining, through pipes or not, can lead to landslides, increase the frequency of flooding, cause irreparable damage to forests and endanger marine life.

Clearly, in his zest to exploit and harness the riches of nature, Sanusi is blinded by the ringgit dangling before his eyes.

I wonder how Kedahans are going to benefit if past revenues from the exploitation of natural resources seldom meant anything for the ordinary people.

It has been rumoured that the KL company that had inked the agreement with the state has ties with a company from China.

If foreign companies are allowed to come in to exploit the resources, the people in Kedah can say goodbye to riches given by God.

Just examine the numerous reports on how companies in China have caused environmental damage, especially in south China.

I am sure the real beneficiaries of mining ventures in Kedah will be those in the top echelons of the state and owners of companies, both local and foreign.

I am sure Sanusi knows this very well.

What is the purpose of calling MIC and DAP leaders being drunk on the popularity of toddy when Sanusi himself is hallucinating on the riches that could befall Kedah from exploiting the REE.

I am not sure whether his hallucination is the real reason why he has embarked on a journey to tear down Hindu temples in the state, lacking compassion and understanding.

Well, I am not sure whether these Hindu temples are standing in the way of the development of REE.

Maybe in the future state of Wakedah, all non-Muslim places of worship could be placed on wheels so that they can be moved from place to place to avoid the torment of agony and grief.

In the famous book by Dee Brown, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, an Indian chief tells the writer that it would have better sense for the white Americans to put Indians on wheels so that they could be moved wherever the white man wanted them to be moved.

This was in reference to placing them in reservations first and then forcibly moving them out as soon as minerals were discovered there.

The American Indians saw no future state; they were doomed for destruction under the white man.

There was no Wakanda for them.

But at least in Kedah, if REE is exploited, Wakedah might be possible, but only in name.

The fate of the rakyat will be the same … further exploitation and marginalisation.

Finally, it is nice to think of an abundant futuristic Kedah with the new name of Wakedah.

But what is the use of the newfound wealth, if exploiters remain as exploiters and PAS remains as a political party that will use religion for its own survival.

P Ramasamy is deputy chief minister II of Penang. - FMT

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.