Latest news with #DepartmentofMineralsandGeoscienceMalaysia
The Star
02-07-2025
- The Star
Loud boom in Perak could've been natural, says state top cop
IPOH: While a natural explanation is likely, the cause of the loud boom and brief tremor that shook several parts of Ipoh is still being investigated, says the Perak police chief. Datuk Noor Hisam Noordin said the incident, which occurred at around 10.30am on June 18, sparked concern among residents in Chemor, Chepor and Tanah Hitam. 'Initial investigations have not found any evidence of misconduct or unscheduled demolition activity at quarries. 'We have interviewed residents from the affected areas and referred the matter to geologists and the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG),' he told reporters during a handover ceremony at the Senior Police Officers' Mess yesterday. 'There is no indication of any misconduct or unscheduled blasting activity. 'It's all natural causes but we are still conducting a thorough investigation,' he said, adding that a similar incident occurred on June 6 last year. 'Such events might happen only once every 10 years. But now we've seen two consecutive cases in June. 'We are studying this phenomenon more closely.' He added that authorities will be calling for a multi-agency meeting involving JMG, quarry operators, the armed forces and other related bodies to discuss the issue in greater depth. 'The public is advised to remain calm and not to speculate. There is no cause for alarm. People can continue with their daily routines as usual,' he said. On a separate matter, Noor Hisam said the police have recorded a statement from a teacher accused of posting offensive remarks about the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students on the East-West Highway in Gerik. 'We have already recorded the statement and seized his mobile phone to assist in the investigation. 'The investigation paper is almost complete, pending the medical report from the hospital. 'Once received, we will submit the case to the deputy public prosecutor for further action,' he said. Earlier, a Facebook account bearing the name 'Khalid Yunus' had sparked public outrage after it wrote that the 15 students had 'died in disgrace'. The post has since been deleted and the account holder has posted a public apology, claiming he suffered from schizophrenia. State education, higher education, youth and sports committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah later confirmed that the account belonged to a secondary school teacher. The Perak Education Department is also preparing a full report on the matter.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Policy on groundwater management urgently needed
KUALA LUMPUR: A policy on groundwater management as an alternative water source must be formulated and implemented immediately to ensure the continuity of the country's water supply, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. He said this is necessary because water resources, which are essential for life and national development, are increasingly under threat due to pollution, climate change and rising demand. 'In this context, groundwater is a vital alternative — it is cleaner, less exposed to pollution and has huge potential, especially in rural areas,' he said when opening the Seminar on the Potential of Groundwater: An Alternative for Water Resource Management in Malaysia here today. He said the seminar brought together policymakers, implementers and stakeholders to chart a clear direction for comprehensive water management, particularly groundwater, with Parliament acting as a bridge between the legislative and executive branches. Also present was Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. 'Malaysia isn't that big — we only have 32 million people. Surely we can solve our water issues; it's not like we're in Ethiopia or Africa. We're surrounded by sea; we're a maritime country with abundant rainfall. The issue lies in how we manage it for the benefit of the people,' he stressed. Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah described the seminar as a catalyst for a new policy grounded in data and concrete action. 'Malaysia still depends on surface water sources like rivers and dams to meet domestic, industrial and agricultural needs. However, climate uncertainty, pollution and rising demand are increasingly threatening the country's water security. 'In this context, groundwater has the potential to serve as a strategic complement to the existing system,' he said. He added that a study by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia found that the country has vast groundwater reserves, particularly in rural and interior areas that are often left out of conventional supply systems. However, he said the development of this resource remains limited, with key constraints including a lack of hydrogeological data, limitations in mapping and monitoring technology, and low public awareness.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia urged to develop groundwater policy urgently
KUALA LUMPUR: A policy on groundwater management as an alternative water source must be formulated and implemented immediately to ensure the continuity of the country's water supply, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. He said this is necessary because water resources, which are essential for life and national development, are increasingly under threat due to pollution, climate change and rising demand. 'In this context, groundwater is a vital alternative — it is cleaner, less exposed to pollution and has huge potential, especially in rural areas,' he said when opening the Seminar on the Potential of Groundwater: An Alternative for Water Resource Management in Malaysia here today. He said the seminar brought together policymakers, implementers and stakeholders to chart a clear direction for comprehensive water management, particularly groundwater, with Parliament acting as a bridge between the legislative and executive branches. Also present was Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. 'Malaysia isn't that big — we only have 32 million people. Surely we can solve our water issues; it's not like we're in Ethiopia or Africa. We're surrounded by sea; we're a maritime country with abundant rainfall. The issue lies in how we manage it for the benefit of the people,' he stressed. Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah described the seminar as a catalyst for a new policy grounded in data and concrete action. 'Malaysia still depends on surface water sources like rivers and dams to meet domestic, industrial and agricultural needs. However, climate uncertainty, pollution and rising demand are increasingly threatening the country's water security. 'In this context, groundwater has the potential to serve as a strategic complement to the existing system,' he said. He added that a study by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia found that the country has vast groundwater reserves, particularly in rural and interior areas that are often left out of conventional supply systems. However, he said the development of this resource remains limited, with key constraints including a lack of hydrogeological data, limitations in mapping and monitoring technology, and low public awareness.
Daily Express
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tawau gold mine fiasco probe: Fears over cyanide contamination of river
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Nizam praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. TAWAU: Numerous government agencies have mobilised to investigate potential toxic cyanide contamination after a gold mine's water retention dam burst on May 17, with concerns the spillage may have reached Sungai Kalumpang. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan praised the swift response by authorities, calling their enforcement actions appropriate and necessary to protect public health and the environment. Advertisement The Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia has imposed an immediate operational ban on the affected retention pond area, effective May 27. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is conducting comprehensive sampling and analysis around the incident site extending to Sungai Kalumpang to assess contamination risks. 'We fully support all measures taken to ensure mining activities in the State comply with environmental regulations,' Nizam said, adding that any operations potentially damaging the environment must face strict enforcement. The coordinated response involves several key agencies to address the crisis. The Department of Environmental Protection is conducting environmental risk assessments and contamination monitoring throughout the affected area. The State Health Department has implemented health monitoring protocols for residents living near the incident site as a precautionary measure. Tawau Municipal Council is leading the disaster response coordination efforts, while the Fire and Rescue Department provides emergency response support. The State Forestry Department is also involved in assessing the broader environmental impact of the incident. A District Disaster Action Meeting, chaired by the MPT President, has been convened to address the incident and coordinate necessary response measures. The mining company involved obtained a High Court injunction on May 29 to prevent interference with critical repair work at their facility. The company's subsidiary has been granted full access to conduct necessary repairs to the damaged retention pond. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental compliance and operational integrity, saying it will utilise all legal channels to protect its mining operations while addressing the incident. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of any environmental impact and ensure public safety in the affected area. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tawau gold mining firm ordered to cease operations
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: The directive was issued by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia during a joint inspection and investigation conducted by various government departments and agencies at the gold mine on Tuesday. TAWAU: A gold mining company here has been ordered to cease operations at its water retention pond containing sodium cyanide chemical waste, effective Tuesday. It was learnt that the directive was issued by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia during a joint inspection and investigation conducted by various government departments and agencies at the gold mine on Tuesday. The inspection team included representatives from the Fire and Rescue Department, State Department of Environment, State Health Department and State Forestry Department. It follows an incident where the retention pond's embankment collapsed and overflowed, causing contaminated water to flow into Sg Kalumpang. It is understood that company operating at Bukit Mantri was also directed to construct a new water retention pond that meets established standards immediately. According to sources, the ban will remain in effect until the company can provide proper new water retention facilities for mining activities. Advertisement The prohibition specifically applies to mining operations related to the water retention pond, while gold excavation work in the field remains permitted. The Department of Environment is expected to collect water samples on Wednesday from areas around the gold mine and locations affected by the spillage, including Sungai Kalumpang. In related developments, the Fire and Rescue Department, which takes the incident seriously, hopes the parties involved can resolve their issues. Videos of the incident have gone viral raising concerns about potential risks to surrounding residents and the survival of flora and fauna in the affected areas. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
