Sabah wants total ban on sand mining and dredging in Keningau

KUALA LUMPUR (July 2): Sabah’s of Agriculture and Food Industry ministry wants a total and immediate ban on sand mining and dredging activities in Keningau.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Junz Wong told Bernama yesterday those who do not follow this order would risk losing their licences. 

“Whether they possess TOL or Schedule B licences issued by Assistant Collector of Land Revenue (ACLR) officer, all works must stop immediately,” Bernama reported Junz as saying.

The minister also told Bernama that the Land and Survey Department will “coordinate and carry out regular inspection so that these operators would not continue with their activities”.

Junz also said the ministry, via the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, would conduct environmental impact assessment on the river in Keningau owing to rampant sand mining activities conducted over the last two decades.

He called on the public to report any sand and gravel extraction activities to the authorities so that rivers could be preserved.