Perak's rare earth assurances demand scrutiny
But here's the rub: Should a politician be the one assuring us of environmental safety in a venture as complex and chemically sensitive as rare earth mining?
What qualifies a menteri besar to speak with such certainty on hydrogeology, groundwater contamination risk, or long-term ecological impact?
Saarani said the state's NR-REE pilot project in Kenering, Hulu Perak, adheres to strict environmental impact assessments and employs the so-called latest green technology: in-situ leaching (ISL).
Unlike conventional mining, ISL does not involve digging up the earth. Instead, a...
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Saarani: State input vital before federal decision on water transfer project
MANJUNG: The state government's input must be considered before any federal decisions are made regarding the water transfer project from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said this includes identifying the most suitable route for implementation to avoid negative impacts or hardship for local residents. He said engagement sessions would be held between the state and federal governments before the cabinet paper on the project is tabled at a cabinet meeting in August. "We have been informed that the cabinet paper will be submitted by August. So, we request that before it is presented and approved by the cabinet, it should first be discussed with the state government, as we intend to provide our views. "We want to identify a route that will not cause flooding, will not require excessive land acquisition and will not lead to hardships for the public, such as forced relocation," he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the key handover ceremony for buyers of 60 housing units built under the state government's Rumah Perakku initiative at Taman Perakku Batu 14, Lekir, Sitiawan, today. The housing project was developed with easy financing support and a RM3 million infrastructure subsidy allocated by the state government to ensure the provision of complete basic facilities in the 1.7-hectare housing area. Saarani was responding to a question about the outcome of a meeting he attended with Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, which discussed the project. He said the raw water transfer project needs to be expedited due to declining water levels at the Bukit Merah dam in Kerian, caused by annual hot and dry weather, which affects crop irrigation and future industrial development. "We understand that constraints at the federal level include the need to secure funding and complete other processes. Our meeting with the ministry was primarily to determine the best route. "The state government wishes to provide our input to ensure the project benefits multiple stakeholders, particularly farmers in northern Perak, the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) and to meet the water supply demands of Penang. "We take into account that, barring any obstacles, KIGIP is expected to be completed by the end of 2028 and begin operations in January 2029. "But our main priority is resolving the irrigation issue for farmers in northern Perak," he said. On Monday, Saarani called on the federal government to expedite the Sungai Perak–Bukit Merah water transfer project, citing recurring droughts and the current infeasibility of cloud seeding operations. In June 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had, in principle, agreed to approve funding for the implementation of the raw water distribution project from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah dam. The project, intended to supply treated water to northern Perak and Penang, is estimated to cost RM4 billion.
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Perak youth urged to embrace TVET jobs or risk losing out to outsiders
KUALA LUMPUR: Young people in Perak have been urged to seize the thousands of job opportunities emerging from the state's rapid industrial development or risk losing them to outsiders and foreign workers. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state's heavy investment in industrial zones is part of its goal to position Perak as a national TVET corridor, a key agenda under the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan to future-proof the economy and secure long-term prosperity. However, he said these roles require skilled workers, particularly those with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification. "I want the people of Perak to understand the government's intention. If our own children do not support this aspiration, we will have to offer these job opportunities to outsiders. And if that still is not enough, we cannot avoid hiring foreign workers," he told the New Straits Times during a visit to Balai Berita for the Malaysia Hari Ini programme. Saarani said the state has intensified awareness campaigns at the district level in collaboration with various agencies, targeting secondary school students, especially those in Form Four and Form Five, to highlight career prospects through TVET. He said the importance of removing the stigma that TVET is a second-class option, noting that the sector now offers competitive salaries and strong job market demand. "It is time we dispel the notion that TVET is a second-class certificate. With a TVET qualification, real jobs are waiting," he said. Citing internal data, Saarani said approximately 94 per cent of TVET graduates secure employment. As part of the outreach initiative, successful TVET alumni, including chefs, welders, and animation specialists, are being brought into schools to inspire students and show the real-life potential of vocational careers. He added that all TVET institutions in Perak must also ensure their academic programmes are aligned with the specific needs of local industries. "That is why we are engaging with industry players and training providers to ensure course offerings are relevant to the job market. We do not want these opportunities to slip away to outsiders simply because locals lack the necessary skills," he said. "Our goal is to create a prosperous Perak where the people thrive. That prosperity starts with employment — when people have jobs, they have income to spend, and that in turn drives the state's economy." Previously, the Perak government had outlined its ambition to position the state as a National TVET Corridor, with several mega projects, including the Automotive High-Tech Valley in Tanjung Malim, the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park, and the Silver Valley Technology Park, serving as anchor platforms to absorb skilled graduates. The state had also introduced the TVET 2025 Roadshow Programme aimed at correcting misconceptions about vocational education and promoting it as a primary pathway to careers in technology, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
Malaysiakini
07-07-2025
- Malaysiakini
Perak's rare earth assurances demand scrutiny
COMMENT | In a media briefing cloaked in optimism, Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad recently declared that non-radioactive rare earth element (NR-REE) mining in the state is environmentally safe, sustainable, and economically promising. But here's the rub: Should a politician be the one assuring us of environmental safety in a venture as complex and chemically sensitive as rare earth mining? What qualifies a menteri besar to speak with such certainty on hydrogeology, groundwater contamination risk, or long-term ecological impact? Saarani said the state's NR-REE pilot project in Kenering, Hulu Perak, adheres to strict environmental impact assessments and employs the so-called latest green technology: in-situ leaching (ISL). Unlike conventional mining, ISL does not involve digging up the earth. Instead, a...
