KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Instead of using public funds, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must compel companies that have reaped profits from bauxite mining to bear the costs of cleaning up the pollution effects, says Fuziah Salleh.

The Coalition for Action Against Bauxite Pollution chairman said the clean up should come from the pockets of mining concessionaires, transport companies that move around the mined bauxite piles and companies with AP licence to export the aluminium ore.

“They should be made to bear some social responsibility and carry out the cleaning as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

“It is an abuse of taxpayers money for the public to bear the costs.

“The people have suffered enough from the pollution. They should not be saddled with the cleaning costs.

“As it is, many are facing hard times due to the rise in cost of living and the goods and service tax (GST).

“Using public funds is like adding salt to wound. Let the allocation go towards helping the needy," said Fuziah today in a statement.

The Kuantan MP was responding to a statement yesterday (Jan 13), by the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, that Najib had directed the ministry to clean up the areas affected by bauxite mining in the state capital today.

Rahman had said local authorities, Fire and Rescue Department as well as Alam Flora Sdn Bhd would be roped in for the work to expedite cleaning up operation in the affected areas.