By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: “If it is true that blasting activities were carried out without approval or permission and without the knowledge of the authorities, then it is an illegal activity.”
That was the firm statement by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad when responding to questions over claims that quarry blasting activities had allegedly caused tremors and cracks to residents’ houses in RPT Batu 10, Kampung Hijrah and Chepor Indah recently.
He said the Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG) had conducted inspections at the affected locations and a written report on the findings was expected to be submitted to him next week.
Saarani said the issue involving the alleged blasting and tremors was technical in nature and required further assessment to determine whether the cracks found on residents’ houses were indeed caused by quarry blasting activities.
“The issue is very technical, and it involves complaints that residents’ houses were cracked due to quarry blasting.
“Therefore, I instructed PTG to go to the ground and conduct a study to determine whether the claims are true or otherwise.
“PTG knows which companies have been granted licences if any approval has been issued,” he said during a press conference after the Perakku Astana Chemor Housing Project Opening Ceremony here today.
Saarani said, based on his knowledge so far, no licence had been issued for blasting activities in the area.
“If blasting activities were indeed carried out without approval or permission from the authorities, it would be an offence.
“To my knowledge, no blasting licence has been issued. For now, I cannot provide further comments until the complete investigation report from PTG is received,” he said.
