Kuala lumpur: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) will strengthen monitoring of mining activities, particularly in waste management, as part of new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure such activities are carried out in a more regulated and sustainable manner. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also performing the duties of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said the move is crucial to ensure all mining operators comply with strict waste management regulations to prevent pollution.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this enhanced monitoring is part of the new SOPs, with a focus on how operators manage waste generated from mining activities. Johari made these comments while winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2026 for NRES in the Dewan Rakyat. He also mentioned that the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) are currently investigating the recent river pollution incident in Sungai Perak that gained attention on social media.
Photos of Sungai Perak near the Kampung Sungai Papan Bridge, located about five kilometers north of Kampung Air Ganda in Gerik, showed the river appearing blue, going viral on social media on October 21. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar stated that the department identified three mining operations in the upper reaches of Sungai Perak in Gerik, comprising one rare earth element (REE) mine and two tin mines. Water samples from the area have been collected, and the department is awaiting analysis results from JMG.
Meanwhile, Johari stated that the National Climate Change Bill is expected to be tabled during the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament next year. The draft is currently under review by the Attorney-General's Chambers. Once enacted, the bill will serve as a legal framework to mainstream the climate change agenda through mitigation actions, adaptation, or both. It will also act as a legislative instrument to address climate change through comprehensive regulatory policies and reporting mechanisms, ensuring the nation's growth remains sustainable and resilient against its impacts.