SUNGAI PETANI: Residents in Kampung Jerai, Bukit Selambau near here have voiced their concerns over a sand mining project in their village that they claim threatens their safety and affects the environment.
Abd Rais Lah Omar, 54, who claimed to be a representative of a group of residents in the village, said the location of the entrance and exit route to the project site is close to their homes.
This makes the living conditions in the area unhealthy due to the dust pollution, he said.
“The sand mining area has widened with its distance to the nearest house only about 30m away,” he told reporters at the site of the sand mining project here.
He said owners of land located near the project site had complained of the depreciating value of their property due to the mining activity there.
“We hope that this protest will attract the attention of the authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation regarding the matter and hopefully to cease issuing licences for sand mining in the area,” he said.
A resident, Siti Ramlah Husin, 63, said she had been living in the village since she was born.
Now, she said that she was worried about the sand mining activity as it was getting closer to her home.
“My fear is not only about the erosion that it may cause, but also the noise pollution. My mother is old and has poor vision. The noise affects her,” she said.
Another resident, Abdul Hadi Ahmad, 39, said his concern is about the children playing near the sand mining area.
“Even in the middle of the night, trucks are going in and out,” he said. – Bernama
