Call for probe into gold mine

▲Choong Siew Onn claims the company had gone against government requirements

PUTRAJAYA: About 50 villagers living in and around Bukit Koman village in Pahang yesterday complained to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission about possible abuses in connection with the operation of a gold mine.

They wanted the MACC to investigate why the authorities did not take action against a gold mining company in Raub for allegedly using dangerous chemicals.

The residents turned up at the MACC office at 10am, carrying a banner protesting the use of cyanide in the gold mining process.

Among the 50 was Tras assemblyman Choong Siew Onn who claimed the company had gone against government requirements by using chemicals that could jeopardise the health of villagers.

"Despite numerous objections and appeals to the 'bigwigs', nothing has been done, which leads us to believe there is some foul play involved," said Choong.
Teratai assemblyman Janice Lee was also present.

One of the villagers, Raja Puji Raja Abd Hamid, claimed: "Although it has only been two months since the company has been operational, we have noticed that the small fish and shellfish have disappeared."

Raja Puji, who is Pas Raub division head, said many residents had complained of a pungent stench and itchiness of the skin.