SOME 100 participants from 50 state agencies took part in the seminar on ‘Quarry Issues 2023’ at the Ixora Hotel in Seberang Perai today.
It was organised by the Penang Quarry Association (PQA).
State Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, who was the guest of honour at the event, said the state government will regulate the rules on the quarry activities in the state.
He said one of the ways was through ‘OPS Lumpur’.
“The ‘OPS Lumpur’ is a committee chaired by state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and has been around for sometime.
“Now, I want to implement ‘OPS Lumpur’ for quarry activities where regular inspection can be done at quarry sites.
“Before we go, we will give them notice, maybe one or two days earlier to inform them that the principal submitting person (PSP) and the consultants must be there.
“So, during the inspection, when we ask them questions they must answer us immediately,” Phee said at a press conference held during the seminar.
Phee, who is also the alternate chairman for the ‘OPS Lumpur’ committee, added that the state will be strict with its rules on quarry activities.
He also suggested that the quarry site at Penanti can be turned into a natural water reservoir when it stops operating.
“This (water reservoir) can be used to mitigate floods during rainy season.
“Currently, the state Economic Planning Department (BPEN) is writing a proposal regarding this matter,” he added.
Also present were PQA president Saw Kok Peng, and Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (Penang/Kedah/Perlis) assistant director Azihan Mat Arshad.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis