Wan Junaidi threatens to extend bauxite moratorium

He says he will do this if all the “players” don’t comply with the requirements in Kuantan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The moratorium on bauxite mining in Kuantan could be extended if all aspects of compliance are not met by April 15, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“There are a lot of things to be complied with by the players, the people who provide the facilities and the state.

“So if any of those things are still not complied with, I may request the government to extend the moratorium,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby today.

Wan Junaidi said there were still several compliance issues that needed to be addressed after the moratorium on bauxite mining activities came into effect on Jan 15.

These included the requirement for a designated route for bauxite transport, lorry specifications and the Kuantan port’s readiness to resume bauxite exports.

“If the ‘bauxite players’ can’t comply with these requirements, then they would need to provide the ministry with other alternatives that are equivalent to the guidelines currently in place,” added Wan Junaidi.

“I will make the final decision when the time comes.”