KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-four illegal mining sites were uncovered and 99 suspects nabbed in a nationwide operation targeting illegal extraction activities, police revealed.
Various minerals including coal, sand and kaolin were seized, valued at nearly RM119mil.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said Ops Gali Mega was conducted from Aug 19 to Aug 23 to counter illegal mining.
He said besides environmental damage, it also affected public safety and involved undocumented migrants.
He said the operation under the National Mineral Policy was conducted jointly with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and other enforcement agencies.
“A total of 45 mining locations across 10 states were inspected, with 24 found to be operating illegally,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Comm Mohd Yusri said Sabah had the most inspections with 14 sites, followed by Sarawak (seven), Pahang (six), Selangor (four), Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak (three each), Negri Sembilan and Kedah (two each) and Johor (one).
A total of 728 personnel were deployed comprising 507 personnel from the General Operations Force and Police Air Wing, and 221 officers from nine enforcement agencies which included the Lands and Mines Department, Mineral and Geoscience Department, local authorities and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
He said of the 99 arrested, 38 were undocumented migrants aged between 18 and 64.
The seized items included 55 vehicles, 87 pieces of heavy machinery and 194 units of other mining equipment, as well as thousands of tonnes of mineral and earth resources.
Among the minerals seized were 100 tonnes of kaolin worth RM59,250, 8,524 tonnes of coal worth RM4.2mil, 313,504 tonnes of quarry materials/earth worth RM12mil and 9,144 tonnes of sand worth RM4.5mil.
Comm Mohd Yusri said police also identified 32 individuals and 21 companies believed to be involved in illegal mining, with details handed over to the LHDN for possible tax evasion and revenue leakages.
He said investigations were ongoing to determine how long the illegal mining had been going on, whether there were links between the sites and syndicates operating inter-state, and also possible foreign involvement.
“If there are elements of collusion or corruption, the matter may be referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“The suspects and seized items will also be referred to the deputy public prosecutor for further instructions on prosecution, compounds or forfeiture.”
He said authorities were also investigating whether the illegally extracted minerals were being sold through the black market.
Comm Mohd Yusri said the operation was important not only in protecting national revenue but also safeguarding the environment from river pollution, soil erosion, forest destruction, sedimentation and damage to water catchment areas.
