KOTA KINABALU: Since the Land Ordinance was amended, Sabah Land and Survey Department has arrested a total of 79 people, seized 70 vehicles including excavators, lorries, boats, barges, scow and sand pumps, and issued a compound of RM2,320,370 between 2005 and this year.
“This is the largest number recorded nationwide, and we are considered as the most active agency,” the department’s director, Datuk Osman Jamal.
He said the latest arrest of six people was made on November 28 this year in connection with illegal sand extraction in Padas River, at Kampung Melulugus, Beaufort.
A raiding team from department also seized three excavators, three lorries and two sand pumps during the operation between 11am and 11.45am, Osman said.
He said the raid was the result of a joint operation between the department and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following public complaints of sand extraction in the river.
The arrests, the first of its kind in the Beaufort district, showed the state government was serious about solving the problem,” Osman told a media conference here yesterday.
He said the six suspects were released on police bail, a day after their arrest, and they were liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or jail not exceeding five years, or both if found guilty.
Osman said the department is expected to further strengthen its enforcement with additional manpower next year.
The department has applied with the State Government for an additional 30 personnel, but probably only 50 per cent would be approved.
“So we are expecting probably about 20 per cent additional enforcement personnel from the current number,” he said, adding that to date, they have 34 enforcement personnel.
However, despite the manpower constraints, the department topped the list of best performers nationwide in the last seven years in terms of enforcement and compound collected from errant operators, said Osman.
He attributed the success to public complaints, adding that: “We welcome any complaints on illegal stone or sand dredging activities in your area. But we would appreciate it if complainants contact the office directly so we would be able to investigate the matter further, with the assistance of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).”
On claims that the Department was taking sides when enforcing the law, Osman said it was baseless and untrue.
“We never take sides. If you violates the rules and regulations, then action will be taken against you if we are able to find evidence to proof you are wrong.
“Plus we do not want to be associated with offenders who illegally extract sand or any resources, as it would affect the nation’s economy. If we protect these people, then we are no different from them, we can be considered as accomplices,” Osman explained.
He added that as of this year, the Department has received a total of 347 applications for stone and sand dredging activities, 144 are kept-in-view, while 85 have been approved.
“Of the 85 operators, 34 are active, while the remainder are pending reports such as the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), among others.