Perak exco says pollution at Teluk Akuan was caused by a landslide from an old quarry site after heavy rain, not ongoing logging or quarrying activities.
IPOH: No logging or quarry activities are currently taking place near Teluk Akuan in Manjung, Perak.
State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the reported pollution was caused by a landslide at the overburden area of an old quarry following unusually heavy rain.
He said the quarry had ceased operations completely after failing to comply with mitigation measures set by the Department of Environment.
The Perak Land and Mines Office has not issued any operating licence for the quarry and has ordered all activities to stop.
Mitigation works are being carried out under the supervision of the DOE.
Field inspections found that the affected area was former Segari Melintang Forest Reserve land that had been degazetted and previously used for quarry activities.
The landslide caused muddy water to flow into the coastal area and into Teluk Akuan during heavy rain.
Teh stressed that investigations confirmed there were no ongoing logging or quarry operations.
He said the incident was due to natural factors, including intense rainfall over a short period.
Earlier, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA) secretary Noor Ismady Ahmad Radzuan claimed that Teluk Akuan remained polluted due to quarry activities.
He alleged that red soil and stones were found along waterways, the beach and a nearby waterfall despite operations having stopped in 2021.
