Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof's press conference after the Second National Mineral Council Meeting (MMN2) at Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Office. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: A new national mineral policy to manage the extraction of minerals nationwide will be developed over the next three months, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
"The new policy will set new standard operating procedures (SOP) that all mining operations across the country must follow.
"We will take the appropriate time to properly develop the policy so as to ensure economic opportunities are not lost, while also ensuring the social well-being of the people and the environment.
"The challenge now will be finding the balance between potential economic benefits and ensuring environmental sustainability," he said during a press conference after the Second National Mineral Council Meeting (MMN2) at the Prime Minister’s Office here on Monday (May 8).
He said the MMN2 discussions involved multiple ministers; the respective Mentris Besar (and Chief Ministers); a representative of the Sarawak Premier; and representatives from other ministry heads.
Fadillah, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, added that his ministry will work on increasing enforcement against illegal mining activities nationwide.
"A multi-agency task force has been established to crack down on all illegal mining operations.
"The task force will include members of the police force and Customs Department, as well as officers from relevant ministry departments, which will work together with local councils in every state.
"This is vital as not only does illegal mining cause a loss of income for the country, but also threatens to severely impact the environment as these operations usually never follow any SOP," he added.
He noted that the majority of illegal mining currently involved the extraction of non-radioactive rare earth elements, most in Kedah.
Fadillah also noted his ministry had developed a temporary SOP for mining operations in Perak.
"For now, the early environmentally sustainable policies we have enforced in Perak have seen high compliance," he said, adding that Malaysia's current mineral resources are valued at over RM4 trillion.
