Raub gold mine is safe, says Yen Yen

Tarani Palani | Jun 27, 09 12:44pm Raub MP Ng Yen Yen today said that there is no cause for concern for the villagers of Bukit Koman adding that she had already looked into the matter three years ago.

MCPX

“I met the residents, I met the committee, I brought up the specialist to see them, everything had been done (three years ago),”

She added that she had maintained her silence on the matter because when “people refuse to listen to scientific facts, one cannot talk reason”.

Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman are facing health and environment problems after a gold mine operator started using cyanide in the extraction method in February.

The villagers reportedly began experiencing headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation after the company, Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) began using cyanide in their operations.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, T Murugiah, on Thursday had given the green light to RAGM for the usage of cyanide in the mining process.

Ng said that the matter was closed with Murugiah’s statement.

She said despite her consultation with the residents, “they still went on and on and on”.

Environmental hazards

“First, they brought some environmentalist, and spoke about the environmental hazards. Then, they focused on health issues. I have already spoken to the hospital in Raub and there are no cases (caused by cyanide effects)”

Citing an example of the resident’s unyielding attitude, she said that she had taken the residents to Banjong in order to observe a gold mine there. There were various live forms around the area such as fish and plants.

“There were some fish in the area. If there are traces of cyanide, the fish will die first. But the fish were still there.”

When Ng had pointed this out to the residents, they had answered: “(We think) the fish were just placed there (a moment ago), as a gimmick to mislead the residents.”

The Star had reported on Thursday that during Murugiah’s meeting at the state Public Complaints Bureau headquarters in Teruntum complex on Thursday, a few opposition representatives were present rather than the affected residents themselves.

Responding to this, Ng asked why there was a need to politicise a scientific matter.

When pressed further on the matter, she asked journalists to speak to the affected residents themselves and suggested they do their own neutral research. --- Malaysiakini

All that glitters in Raub is cyanide

Wong Pheak Zern | Jun 24, 09 4:10pm Villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman near Raub are facing a serious health and environment problem after a gold mine operator started using cyanide in the extraction method in February.

Results of laboratory analysis of water samples collected by the Local Government, Environment and Health Committee on May 25 at the mine tailing pond showed that there was 0.03mg/L of cyanide.

This is well above the recommended permissible level of below 0.2ppm (parts per million) set by the US Environment Protection Agency.

The report also noted the presence of cyanide-like odour in the atmosphere.

The villagers reportedly began experiencing headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation after the company, Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) started using cyanide in their operations.

Since the committee's findings about a month ago, the villages have sought leave from the High Court to stop RAGM from continuing its operations.

The High Court however, turned down the residents' applications on June 1.

Last night, the villagers got together in Kuala Lumpur to voice their grievances and fears at a gathering organised by Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Speakers urged the villagers to continue with efforts to stop RAGM from using poisonous chemicals in the extraction process.

Political analyst Tang Ah Chai, one of four speakers, said "this will be a long and difficult process, because we, as a group are fighting against those with great powers and high financial abilities".

He said that the villagers could succeed in their fight as there have been similar cases worldwide where the people won their battles by not giving up.

More than 300 people from around the country were at last night's talk to listen to the problems facing the Bukit Koman villagers.

Deteriorating health conditions

The villagers formed a Bukit Koman Action Committee in 2006 after they found out that RAGM had been given permission to use cyanide in their operations.

When a pungent odour began to permeate the vicinity, about 200 villagers began complaining of various medical ailments.

"About 20 of them have been admitted to hospitals for further treatment," said Wong Kin Hoong, chairperson of the action committee.

Choong Siew Onn, the assemblyperson for Tras Pahang, said he had been summoned by the police and asked to produce evidence supporting the claim that the health and environment problems were caused by cyanide in gold mining.

"They (the police) said that if I could not show any proof, I would be hauled up for lodging a false police report," he said.

"Fortunately I was able to prove my claim by producing the complaints filed on the illnesses suffered by the villagers."

Klang Valley residents face risk

Tan Hui Chun, an environment and industrial safety consultant, said the use of cyanide could seriously harm the environment - not only in Bukit Koman but even the Klang Valley, threatening the health and safety of eight million people.

Tan said RAGM would need to import a large quantity of the hazardous cyanide and then transport it from Port Klang to Raub, a distance of 144km.

"It is possible for cyanide to leak during the transfer if sufficient precautions are not taken. And if that happens, water supplies in the Klang Valley will be affected," he said.

She said a method known as cyanide leaching is used to remove the remaining 30 percent of fine gold particles after the debris has been mined.

This method has to be handled with great care as it requires the storage and handling of cyanide and disposal of the by-products after the mining operation is completed.

Tan said underground and lake water supplies would be severely polluted through seepage if advanced equipment is not used in the waste disposal process.

"I doubt if RAGM is willing to invest a huge amount of money in purchasing high-tech equipment for waste disposal in Bukit Koman as there is not much gold particles left there," she added.

She said RAGM should instruct the villagers on what needs to be done in the event that something goes awry in the handling and storage or if there if there is major cyanide leak.

Tang added that cyanide use by RAGM should not be seen as a localised problem involving only Bukit Koman.

"All we ask for is an unpolluted environment for all, so that people can lead happy and healthy lives. We are not just fighting for the benefits of Bukit Koman villagers, but for the benefits of all Malaysians," Tang said.

Meanwhile, the Bukit Koman Action Commitee against Cyanide submitted a memorandum on behalf of the villagers to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T Murugiah, seeking government intervention.

They want the government to "issue a stop work order immediately pending a comprehensive investigation to be conducted by an independent panel of experts". ---quote al2k.blogspot.com

Dian Lee-Sharing the joys of motherhood

Sharing the joys of motherhood
VIMALA SENEVIRATNE

Property developer Dian Lee tells VIMALA SENEVIRATNE how motherhood has turned her life upside down, in a most delightful way

SHE is only 26 but Dian Lee Cheng Ling is already someone to be reckoned with in the property circles. But for the feisty, hard-nosed woman, a young lad turned her organised world upside down in a most delightful way 16 months ago, to be precise.

“Motherhood… it changes your perspective on so many things. Since Jedi — yes, Jedi as in Star Wars, because Jared, my husband, is a Star Wars fan — came into our lives, it has been one roller-coaster ride for us and we’re enjoying every moment of it,” she says.

Like so many new parents, both she and her husband want to bring up their son in an environment that will help him develop his learning and motor skills.

“We sought the advice of other parents, surfed the Internet and read lots of books on child development,” says Lee, the main force behind Clearwater Group, a high-end property developer.

They were drawn to a book written by Glenn Doman, co-founder of The Achievement Of Human Potential, an educational organisation that served children by introducing parents to the field of early child development such as reading, intelligence and swimming.

“Both Jared and I were sold on this and a couple of months ago, we began to use those methods to teach our son in a simple but fun way. Jedi’s face lights up when we show him the flash cards,” she says, beaming with pride.

Her conversation is animated and her eyes light up as she relates some of her son’s antics. “It’s amazing how this little boy can lift your spirits. There is so much of fun and laughter in the house.”

Is she trying to create a genius? “Oh, no,” she says emphatically. “We just want him to be his own person. And as parents we simply want him to grow up in an environment where he has fun while learning the various skills.”

Convinced that other parents would benefit from the Doman methods, they set up Glenn Doman Baby Malaysia (GD), a part of the lifestyle division of Clearwater Group which is now the official distributor in Malaysia for the Glenn Doman learning programme. A learning centre for parents will be set up in the Heritage, another property currently being developed by the Clearwater Group.

Lee, who was introduced to the world of bricks and mortar by her father, property developer Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, is happy that she is able to strike a balance between her role as a mother and keeping an eye on her business.

“There is so much contentment – my role as a mum and wife, and being a businesswoman. I bring Jedi to my office everyday so that I can spend as much time as I can with him,” says Lee. She and her five siblings were brought up in a traditional household. Although she was born into a world of privileges, her parents, she stresses, never spoiled them.

“My parents drilled into us fine Confucian values like filial piety, honesty and sincerity. I am what I am today because of this solid grounding and these are the values I want to pass on to my own family,” adds Lee, the eldest child.

No wonder she is very much her own person, level-headed and has her feet firmly planted on the ground. “I believe in doing things the way they should be done – professionally,” she states.

Although she is close to her parents, she also likes to inject an element of surprise in what she does. She laughs. “Mum and dad had just discovered why they had been asked to tag along with us today – a signing ceremony for GD Baby Malaysia as official distributor.”

Lee studied professional communications and marketing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology but her practical lessons came from interning and working for her father as his personal assistant for a couple of years. She also managed his business in Australia – hands-on training that helped her when she eventually set up her own business. When she first told him of her desire to venture out on her own, he reacted like any father would.

“Naturally, he was concerned but he gave his blessings because he knew I was serious. I still go to him for advice,” says Lee.

Her company builds boutique-style residences. Lee is quick to credit the success of her company to her staff. “It’s all about team work.”

As her business grew, she became more conscious of the environment and now, she incorporates green strategies such as energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting, waste management and green architecture.

“Motherhood has made me see things in a different light. For the sake of our children and their children, we have to do our part to protect the earth,” says Lee who’s planning to have another child. “This time, I’d like to have a girl, someone I can bond with... not that I don’t bond with Jedi. But with girls, it’s different.”

She swims for relaxation and keeps fit by exercising regularly. “Frankly, my little ‘man’ keeps me amused, always putting a smile on my face and that’s the best way to unwind.” --- NST