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KUCHING: Illegal sand extraction destroying Ensebang river, pollutes its water.
THAT’S THE PROOF: Alex points to the machine to extract sand from the river.
RUNNING SCARED: A worker runs away after being spotted at the illegal sand extraction area.
TOXIC: The chemicals used to process the sand are thrown into Ensebang river.
Illegal sand extraction by a private company is polluting the water and destroying the banks of Ensebang River in Balai Ringin, about 80km from here.
The more than 30km river is a source of water for six villages:Kampung Sebang Pelaik A , Kampung Sebang Pelaik B, Sebang Kuari Baru and Sebang Padang Bilon.
The company, which is only licensed to extract clay from the riverbanks, has found a quick way to double its profits by extracting sand from the river and processing it on site.
“They use certain chemicals to process the sand and once the process is complete, the chemicals are thrown into the river,” claimed Tuai Rumah Alex Libau who is also the development committee chairman for Ensabang Melikin recently.
‘Company has no licence to extract sand from the river’ He added that the chemicals caused skin irritation to villagers bathing in the river.
“As far as we know, the company has no licence to extract sand from the river,
they also never held any discussion with us,” said Alex, claiming that the activity had been going on for the past three years.
He also said a complaint was lodged with Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) in August last year.
“They (NREB) have also sent a team to investigate the matter, but until today no action or word is heard from them,” said Alex, who said he had pictures to prove that NREB officers visited the site.
The extraction activity, which is located in an enclosed area four to five kilometres off the Serian-Sri Aman road, is well camouflaged amid heavy machinery and a filtration pond.
Alex also pointed out that the diesel engine used to extract the sand from the river had been spewing excess fuel into the once crystal-clear river.
“The diesel fuel destroys the aquatic habitat and also poses grave danger to those who consume the water.”
Currently, most of the villages rely on gravity feed water which flows from the higher ground.
“When the dry season hits, the villagers have no choice but to rely on the river for water.”
Speaking on behalf of all the villagers, he appealed to the relevant authorities to step in and stop the illegal activity.
Meanwhile, Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan agreed with the views expressed by Alex.
“We know that they are only licensed to extract soil from the site and not sand.”
He urged NREB to immediately take stern action against the company.