KOTA BELUD: The National Unity Organization of Sabah (PERPADUAN) is calling for the Kadamaian assemblyman to take urgent action regarding the sand mining activities at Sungai Kadamaian, which are believed to be operating without approval from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS).
PERPADUAN’s president, Jack Giau, stated that these activities have been reported in several areas, including the riverbanks of Kampung Piasau Pirasan, Kampung Pundau, and Kampung Rangalau.
He stressed that any excavation activities in the river are a serious violation of the law if conducted without written approval from JPS, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, and the consent of the state environmental authority.
According to JPS’s standard operating procedures (SOP), he said that the methods and procedures for excavating or mining river sand can only be carried out if there is an official application and written approval from the relevant authorities.
“Any activities conducted without adhering to the SOP, where JPS outlines a limit of 100 feet from the riverbank, can only be disturbed if the area is designated and requires a TOL approved by several related government agencies.
“If there is no approval, this is against the regulations and legal action can be taken,” he said in a statement today.
Jack Giau noted that this issue is not new and has been officially protested since last year following the tragedy of three drowning victims in the excavated river area.
“Before the grief of the victims’ families has subsided due to the loss of their loved ones from the damaged river, this dangerous activity has resumed. This is a form of arrogance and tyranny against the safety of the people,” he emphasised.
He added that confirmation from JPS itself indicates that no new applications have been received from the involved contractors and no approvals have been granted since December 2023.
