KOTA KINABALU: The state’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is investigating an alleged pollution incident at a northern Kudat beach adjacent to a silica sand mining operation.
However, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said initial findings found that the “darkish brown” pollutants seen at the beach were from a natural pond outside the mining area that had flowed into the white sandy beach.
She said checks indicated that the water had overflowed from a natural pond that drained water into the sea due to heavy rain.
“According to the department, the ‘dark water’ may be a normal characteristic of the water in that particular area because of the soil type and its proximity to the mangrove area.
“I was informed by the EPD director (Vitalis Moduying) that this was the natural colour of the water even before the sand mining project started.
“However, the EPD will continue its investigations into the situation,” Liew said yesterday when asked about the pollution on the beach which raised concerns among the public who shared photos on social media.
Liew added that the public wanted to know whether the “water overflow” was slush runoff from the natural pond due to heavy rain or whether it had something to do with the mining activity nearby.
Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) president Alexander Yee said that it was also informed about the possible pollution at the beach in Kudat’s Sikuati area.
He said that environmental groups in the area had also checked on the alleged “pollution” and found that it was naturally occurring and had nothing to do with the mining operations.
“It was already there even before the mining operations started (about a year ago),” Yee added.
Concerns were raised after water from the natural drain overflowed on the beach area, which dried up and left a dark patch on the white sandy beach.
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