KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam (NRES) melalui Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains (JMG) sedang menambah baik dan melengkapkan maklumat subpermukaan kawasan Lembah Klang bagi mengelak insiden tanah jerlus seperti yang berlaku di Masjid India, Ogos lalu.

Menteri Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, berkata ia membabitkan 10 Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) melalui Projek Pemetaan Geologi Subpermukaan Greater KL (3DKL).

"Projek ini berupaya menyediakan data dan maklumat geologi subpermukaan untuk pengurusan risiko bencana geologi termasuk kejadian mendapan tanah dan tanah jerlus.

"Data ini juga akan digunakan untuk perancangan pelan pembangunan khususnya di kawasan bawah tanah (stratum)," katanya melalui jawapan lisan yang disiarkan di laman web Parlimen.

KOTA BARU, Nov 14 — The proposal to prevent any foreign company from monopolising the management of the rare earth elements (REE) industry in Kelantan presents an opportunity for the state government to better manage its natural resources, said Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan.

He said that the federal government’s suggestion also grants the state government the right to negotiate with any mining company. 

“Kelantan warmly welcomes this proposal, and so far, many companies, not just Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, have shown interest and held discussions with us,” he told reporters after the state executive council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex today.

“At the moment, we are identifying mining companies that are truly capable and can offer better proposals.”

Elaborating further, Mohamed Fadzli said that the state government not only intends to carry out mining activities but also aims to set up processing plants in Kelantan to maximise profits.

Earlier, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was reported to have said that the government would utilise the Mineral Development Act 1994 and existing Federal Constitution in managing REE.

He said that the federal government did not intend to encourage a monopoly company for managing REE in the country, similar to how Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) operates in the oil and gas sector.

Commenting on the proposal for the construction of a security and flood wall along the Malaysia-Thailand border, he said the state government would cooperate with the federal government to discuss the matter.

“The border between Kelantan and Thailand is actually not a state border but a national border, and it is the responsibility of the federal government,” he said.

“Therefore, the construction of the wall will not only address security concerns but also involve the development of border towns such as Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor.”

On November 5, the Kelantan government announced plans to propose to the federal government the construction of a wall spanning approximately 100 kilometres along the state’s border with Thailand.

The project is seen as crucial in combating smuggling activities and addressing flood issues. — Bernama

A 3D geological model of Kuala Lumpur (3DKL) – a mapping system that will provide data on soil erosion and landslides – is in the works following concerns about the capital city’s safety as parts of it are built on limestone.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said the 3D model’s data would also span across other areas in the Klang Valley that come under the jurisdictions of 10 local governments.

The ministry said the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) was improving and updating data on the Klang Valley’s geography and geology.

“This project will be able to provide data and geological subsurface information to reduce the risk of geological disasters including soil erosion and landslides,” the ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Nov 12.

“This data will be used to plan development, especially on stratum land,” it said.

Mapping areas at risk of landslides and those built on limestone are part of JMG’s measures to prevent and mitigate potential disasters.

Aside from that, the department will also conduct continuous remote sensing on soil movement, conduct comprehensive site investigation and ensure that underground utility systems are laid efficiently.