The
sleepy hollow of Raub, Pahang has become the latest hotbed of
environmental activism as thousands gathered to oppose the use of
cyanide at a nearby goldmine.
Residents of Kampung Baru Bukit Koman, who live adjacent to the goldmine, claim that the use of cyanide had badly affected their health but the government and the mining company - Raub Australia Gold Mining Sdn Bhd - has disputed this.
Led by the ad hoc
Ban Cyanide Committee, the residents have been opposing the company
since 2007, even before the company began operations, through the courts
and appeals to the federal government, to no avail.
With every avenue exhausted, Raub activist are determined to stage a major protest today and the authorities have allowed them to use the Raub sports complex field, better known locally as Padang Milo.
The police have barred the group from holding any processions and have requested Raub Australia Gold Mining to have a representative present at the protest to receive a protest note.
LIVE reports follow:
1.30pm - It is good weather here in Raub. At least 2,000 people are already here in Padang Milo donning the Ban Cyanide Committee's trademark green t-shirt bearing the words Himpunan Hijau.
Incidentally, there are a large number of people at the nearby Dataran Raub, managed by the Raub district council, which was the venue originally requested for by organisers.
1.40pm - Pahang PKR and Kuantan-based activists who are campaigning against the Lynas rare-earth refinery were seen disembarking from 11 buses.
They were armed with their usual array of banners denouncing Lynas.
The PKR members however brought a large banner depicting Raub MP Dr Ng Yen Yen as a missing person.
Pahang PKR committee member Lee Chean Chung said the banner was made on behalf of the people of Raub who have not seen much of their MP.
1.45pm - Although protestors are mostly in a jovial mood, there are some people who are not too happy with the rally.
At least two banners promoting the event have been slashed while two banners which carries messages opposing the rally were spotted.
"Oppose Himpunan Hijau Raub. Do not trouble the people of Raub trying to rest for the weekend," wrote one banner purportedly placed by Persatuan Pemuda Pemudi Raub Bandar.
[More to follow]
Residents of Kampung Baru Bukit Koman, who live adjacent to the goldmine, claim that the use of cyanide had badly affected their health but the government and the mining company - Raub Australia Gold Mining Sdn Bhd - has disputed this.
Led by the ad hoc
Ban Cyanide Committee, the residents have been opposing the company
since 2007, even before the company began operations, through the courts
and appeals to the federal government, to no avail.With every avenue exhausted, Raub activist are determined to stage a major protest today and the authorities have allowed them to use the Raub sports complex field, better known locally as Padang Milo.
The police have barred the group from holding any processions and have requested Raub Australia Gold Mining to have a representative present at the protest to receive a protest note.
LIVE reports follow:
1.30pm - It is good weather here in Raub. At least 2,000 people are already here in Padang Milo donning the Ban Cyanide Committee's trademark green t-shirt bearing the words Himpunan Hijau.
Incidentally, there are a large number of people at the nearby Dataran Raub, managed by the Raub district council, which was the venue originally requested for by organisers.
1.40pm - Pahang PKR and Kuantan-based activists who are campaigning against the Lynas rare-earth refinery were seen disembarking from 11 buses.
They were armed with their usual array of banners denouncing Lynas.
The PKR members however brought a large banner depicting Raub MP Dr Ng Yen Yen as a missing person.
Pahang PKR committee member Lee Chean Chung said the banner was made on behalf of the people of Raub who have not seen much of their MP.
1.45pm - Although protestors are mostly in a jovial mood, there are some people who are not too happy with the rally.
At least two banners promoting the event have been slashed while two banners which carries messages opposing the rally were spotted.
"Oppose Himpunan Hijau Raub. Do not trouble the people of Raub trying to rest for the weekend," wrote one banner purportedly placed by Persatuan Pemuda Pemudi Raub Bandar.
[More to follow]
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