Stop-work order for two mining sites

By STUART MICHAEL and IAN MCINTYRE
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

Law heads probe panel

We inadvertently reported that the sand mining company that allegedly excavated sand at hill slopes near Valdor in Nibong Tebal was headed by state executive councillor Law Choo Kiang. Law actually headed the special committee that investigated the sand mining activity. The error is regretted.

BATANG BERJUNTAI: Two sand mining site operators in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor, and Nibong Tebal, Penang will be given stop-work orders.

The sand mining operator at Lot Kambing Susu in Batang Berjuntai was given a one-month notice to cease operations as it did not abide by state regulations.

According to Hulu Selangor district officer Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahalan, although the sand mining site here has a valid licence, certain requirements were not adhered to.

“Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) has not provided a proper silt trap and water treatment area at Sungai Selangor.

Damage control: Nor Hisham (left) and Selangor Water Management Body assistant enforcement officer Dzulkefly Idrus looking at the sand mining site in Bukit Berjuntai.

“Unless proper facilities are put in place, we will not renew its licence,” he said after visiting the site yesterday.

“The area has many deep holes due to illegal sand mining before KSSB took over the contract in the area,” Nor Hisham said in rebutting claims made by Selangor Opposition chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a stop-work order would be issued against the sand mining company which had allegedly excavated sand at hill slopes near Valdor in Nibong Tebal.

Lim identified the company as Foon Cent Sdn Bhd, and said a special committee found the company had allegedly violated the Land Conservation Act 1960 when it mined at the hill slopes.

He said the company was headed by state executive councillor Law Choo Kiang. The other members were Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen and Sungai Bakap assemblyman Maktar Shapee.