PAHANG regent Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah has called for a stop to all mining activities at Tasik Chini in Pekan, Pahang.

In a statement today, the comptroller of the Pahang Royal Palace, Ahmad Khirrizal Ab Rahman said the regent also wants all former mine areas at Tasik Chini to be restored with the plantation of suitable forest trees.

“The regent has also ordered to further expand the existing Chini Forest Reserve of 4,600ha to approximately about 6,000 to 7,000ha to protect the importance of flora and fauna in the area of Tasik Chini and the areas surrounding it,” he said.

On March 13, 2019, the state government had agreed to gazette an area of 4,498ha in the lake as a permanent forest reserve.

“His Majesty agrees with the Pahang state government’s move not to issue any approval for any new mining activities in the Tasik Chini area since 2019,” said Khirrizal.

The regent also made a surprise visit to the lake yesterday after examining reports and pictures that were spread on social media regarding mining activities in the area.

“His Majesty has also examined the report presented by the Menteri Besar of Pahang regarding mining activities in the area as well as rehabilitation and conservation actions that have been carried out by the state government,” Khirrizal said.

The regent also gave assurance that he would always monitor the efforts carried out by the state government to ensure that the environment in Pahang was always taken care of, added the comptroller.

At the same time, the regent also ordered that Tasik Chini, which has been given UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, be given priority in terms of financial allocation and sustainable development by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia and the Ministry of Environment and Water.

The issue was widely shared and discussed on social media recently following the circulation of photographs allegedly showing the forest around the lake cleared by mining activities. – June 14, 2021.