Yusri (left of lorry) and Region 1 Marine Police Operations acting officer in charge for Port Klang ASP Mohd Rohaizad Mohd Nasir (right of lorry) inspecting the vehicles impounded in Port Klang.— KK SHAM/ The Star
EIGHT tipper lorries transporting 480 tonnes of sand worth an estimated RM1mil were impounded in Port Klang during a joint operation by several government agencies.
The operation, codenamed “Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah” (OBK), carried out from Sept 11 to 13, was jointly organised by the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTGS) with the Region 1 Marine Police team in Port Klang, supported by the enforcement units of five District Offices that border Selangor’s coastal areas.
PTGS director Datuk Yusri Zakariah said all eight drivers were detained to assist with investigations.
“We found that the eight drivers, aged between 24 and 35, could not produce documents permitting them to carry the sand or give details of how the sand was procured.”
Yusri said PTGS will record statements from the drivers before calling the tipper lorry owners.
He added that the operation involved 100 men and covered a 291km stretch of Selangor’s coast and on land bordering Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.
“Six tipper lorries were seized from Klang and Kuala Langat while two others were from Nilai, Negri Sembilan.
“Each lorry was estimated to be laden with 60 tonnes of sand.
“The total seizure amount from the eight lorries was an estimated RM1mil,” said Yusri during a press conference at the Region 1 Marine Police team’s headquarters in Port Klang.
He said that the sand being transported was believed to be for a coastal reclamation project.
“Investigations are being carried out under Section 426 of the National Land Code (Act 828), whereby it is unlawful to remove sand from any land or coastal area without a permit.”
He added that several dredgers and offshore barges were also checked during the operations.
Yusri said that PTGS will intensify its operations to stop illegal sand mining.
“One suggestion is to have a marine police unit under PTGS’ administration,” he said.
