Photoblog: 902 Rally @ Kampung Bukit Koman

Located one kilometre away from Raub town is the sleepy hollow kampung of Bukit Koman. However, since 2007, the lives of the residents here have been turned topsy turvy by the operation of the Raub Australian Gold Mining (RAGM) company.

1bkt koman-6047 — Residential houses just a stone throw away from the RAGM company

Today, on the 2nd of September, some 10,000 green activists converged at a football field (Padang Milo) in Raub town to protest against the use of cyanide by the RAGM company which is located just a stone throw away from many of the residential houses in the kampung. Kampung Bukit Koman is just another kilometre up the road from the football field.

1bkt koman-00000 — Mr Wong Kin Hooon, chairman of the Himpunan Hijau Raub said that 5 years ago they were not allowed to mention the word "cyanide" and the wearing of green T shirtsat their protests rallies against the setting up of the RAGM for using cyanide in their process.

1bkt koman-00001 — A section of the crowd dressed in the Himpunan Hijau T shirts

1bkt koman-00002 — The burning hot sun could not deter the supporters from sitting it out in the open field

1bkt koman-00005 — A section of the crowd

1bkt koman-00009 — A section of the crowd

Despite denials by the Government and the Raub Australia Gold Mining Company that the use of cyanide has caused health problems to the residents of Kampung Bukit Koman, there has been an increase of cases of residents having skin problems and itchyness there.