Dept orders halt to sand dredging works pending probe

KUCHING: The Land and Survey Department has directed the licence holder of a sand dredging company to immediately halt its operation near the Muslim cemetery at Seruai in Spaoh.

In a press statement yesterday, the department said the directive is a precautionary and control measure until a detailed investigation is done.

It stated that the soil erosion at the cemetery area has been discussed since 2000 due to the site being located by the riverbank.

“This (erosion) issue arose even before the sand dredging company started its operation around August 2017.

“That is why, as a long-term measure, the government has identified and approved a new cemetery site in this area next to the existing cemetery, known as Lot 999 Block 13 Paku Land District.”

The department also further disclosed that the permit to carry out sand dredging in the area was approved by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

“An environmental impact assessment ( EIA) had been done on the area and the licence holder was required to provide EMR (environmental monitoring report) for the purpose of monitoring and revaluation of their operation,” the statement said.

It added the sand dredging operation is being carried out one kilometre from the cemetery.

The cemetery is the oldest in Saribas and caters to nine villages in the area.