Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) remains firm that no Operational Mining Scheme approvals will be granted for mining activities in protected areas, including Permanent Forest Reserves. Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh emphasized the existing policy also imposes a ban on mining activities in protected reserve areas, water catchment areas, and environmentally sensitive areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the policy aims to ensure that the mining industry is not seen as threatening environmental sustainability and remains in line with the principles of responsible and sustainable development. Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh made these remarks during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to a query from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) regarding whether the government is prepared to amend regulations on land use in Permanent Forest Reserves to allow controlled and sustainable mining activities while preventing illegal mining that harms the environment.