UNDER the auspices of the Penang Quarry Association (PQA) and the Office of Lands and Mines Penang (PTG), a one-day seminar on Quarry Operational Safety and Environmental Control Measures was held on Aug 28 at Evergreen Laurel Hotel for the purpose of enabling policy-makers and the industry players in the state to sit down together and discuss issues concerning operational quarry safety and the environment as well as efforts to control and minimise the impact that a quarry has on its surrounding areas.
State exco member for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Phee Boon Poh, who was present as the Guest of Honour, gave an assurance that the present state government will not be slack in ensuring the environment is well taken care of while economic activities are being carried out for the financial well-being of the people.
“According to the report in year 2010, there are 14 licensed quarries in total. However, today in Penang, eight are active and five are inactive. We also have some illegal quarries activities on-going and we hope that PQA can help the state government to regulate this industry and protect the environment,” Phee said in his speech.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to once again stress that the current state government is serious about improving the environment condition in Penang. Although some projects might bring a lot of income to the state, it will not be approved if it is deemed to have a negative effect towards the environment,” the Sungai Puyu assemblyman added.
Phee also revealed that the Penang Quarry Rules 2018 had reached the final stage and approved by the State Executive Council.
“I would like to emphasise that the Penang Quarry Rules 2018 is being gazette not to punish or harm any of the quarry players but is more of a guideline for every operating quarry to follow in order to achieve sustainability that all quarry operators strive to achieve,” he added.
A PTG representative also told the media that the implementation of Penang Quarry Rules 2018 is within the ambit of Section 14 of the National Land Code.
Also present were Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia head director Datuk Haji Shahar Effendi Abdullah Azizi, Department of Minerals and Geoscience for Kedah, Perlis and Penang director Haji Azhari Ahmad and PQA president Saw Kok Peng.
Story by Victor Seow
Pix by Alvie Cheng