Rare earth mining: Activists launch online petition to save Pos Lanai Orang Asli

Activists objecting to a planned rare earth mining activity in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, today launched an online petition to gather public support in pressuring authorities to put a stop.

In a press conference this morning, the group comprising representatives of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), NGO Misi Solidariti, and Pos Lanai Orang Asli Action Committee urged as many people as possible to sign the petition, which they will present to the Pahang government.

According to PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan, the proposed lanthanide mining activity will cover a total area of 660ha, which is now still within the Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve, and would affect the forest's ecosystem.

"It is clear from documents that this land area would be carved out of the Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve if this project is allowed to happen.

"This is what we want to ask the Pahang government: why do you want to disturb an area which had been categorised as a permanent forest reserve?" he told a virtual press conference after the petition was launched.

Sivarajan told Malaysiakini that they only learned that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report had been submitted to the authorities in March.

The document showed that the project would be divided into three areas, in which mining operations are to be handled by three different companies.

Widely used for industrial and scientific purposes, lanthanides are a group of 15 different rare earth elements. Lanthanide is also processed by Australian rare earth company Lynas Corporation in Malaysia.

Sivarajan said the Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve is part of Malaysia's Central Forest Spine, which houses many flora and fauna including 80 percent of the country's Malayan Tiger population.

The mining activity has also raised fears it would pollute the rivers nearby, including Sungai Telum, which is the main source of water for the Semai Orang Asli Tribe in the Pos Lanai area.

Pos Lanai Orang Asli Land and Territories Action Committee chief Jeffry Hassan said the settlement has a population of 2,000 and most of them depend heavily on the forest and river to survive.

Sungai Telum is also their main mode of transport.

"The main activities for Orang Asli Pos Lanai are doing odd jobs like rubber tapping, fishing at the river and collecting forest products such as rattan, which we would then sell to make a living.

"We Orang Asli are totally opposed to this mining project, as it does not benefit us at all. Those who will benefit from it are only the large corporations, while we are left with the destruction," he said.

The villagers have previously protested against the mining project, including sending a memorandum to the Orang Asli Development Department.

According to Jeffry, the committee is mulling to initiate legal action if the companies are to go ahead with the mining.

Meanwhile, Misi Solidariti co-founder Sarah Irdina said they have set up a website to update the public on the situation in Pos Lanai.

Through this website, the public can access the petition page, which can also be found here.

Those who wish to get extra information can also find information on the situation on these pages, or can contact them at saveposlanai@gmail.com.