KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Lands and Surveys Department has busted an illegal sand excavation operation at a village in northern Kota Belud district as part of a statewide crackdown on illegal sand mining.
The department’s newly appointed director, Alan Chua Ming Ling, said they seized an excavator and a 13-tonne lorry during the operation at Kampung Pintasan around 9.45am on March 5, following a week of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
However, Chua said several individuals at the site fled when the department’s enforcement team moved in.
“As a result of the raid, the department seized one vehicle that was loading sand. However, no arrests were made as the individuals present at the scene managed to flee upon noticing the presence of the enforcement team,” he said on Monday (March 9).
He said a police report has been lodged regarding the operation and that the department’s Enforcement Division Investigation Unit will open an investigation paper to facilitate further probes.
“Further action will be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Sabah Land Ordinance (Cap 68),” he said, adding that the operation succeeded with the cooperation of the police, a Kota Belud community leader and concerned members of the public who provided information.
He said his department is conducting ongoing monitoring and that enforcement operations will continue to be intensified to curb the illegal extraction of land, sand and stone throughout the state.
“Monitoring activities are carried out not only on working days but also during weekends and public holidays,” he said.
“The department will not hesitate to take firm action against any individual or operator found violating the law under the Sabah Land Ordinance,” Chua added.
