Lourdes Charles, The Star 30 Apr 10;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is on a nationwide hunt for sand thieves who have not only raked in billions of ringgit but also caused massive damage to the environment.
It is learnt that MACC officers who went undercover have so far nabbed 43 suspects and several more are on their radar.
MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali said a special task force had unearthed the activities of several syndicates that had been “exporting” sand under the guise of silica to a neighbouring country.
“Exporting sand is illegal but not silica which is a component in sand used to make glass.
“Nineteen people have been charged so far and more will be taken to court once we obtain the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s consent,” he told The Star.
Mustafar said the MACC had received 410 tip-offs and reports on illegal sand mining and it was working closely with other relevant agencies.
He said in one state alone, it was estimated that 3,000 lorries were transporting sand illegally, involving a face value of about RM1.6mil daily.
In a month, the sand thieves would have amassed at least RM48.9mil, and RM587mil a year. This amount does not include sand smuggled in barges.
“This illegal activity has been going on for years and they are damaging the environment, flora and fauna as well as causing erosion,’’ Mustafar added.
Mustafar said MACC investigations revealed that bribes paid out to those in authority ranged between RM500 and RM88,000, with sexual favours also thrown in.
He said those caught before the MACC Act 2009 was enforced in 2009 could be jailed a minimum of 14 days and up to 20 years, and fined RM10,000 or five times the gratification amount, whichever is higher, or both.
Under the MACC Act, a person convicted of the offence could be jailed up to 20 years or fined five times the amount of gratification or both.
Mustafar appealed to the public who knew of such illegal activities to contact the authorities.
Only one permit for sand mining
Stuart Michael, The Star 1 May 10;
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government will only issue one company – Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd – the permit to carry out sand mining in the state in an effort to check rampant illegal mining.
State chairman for agriculture, natural resources and entrepreneurial development Yaakob Sapari said all other companies which carried out the activity would be deemed illegal.
“The state is losing millions of ringgit because of illegal sand mining. It is to control this that we have made such a decision,” he said yesterday.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is on a nationwide hunt for sand thieves and have nabbed 43 suspects with 19 people being charged so far.
It was reported that in one state alone, it was estimated that 3,000 lorries were transporting sand illegally, involving about RM1.6mil daily. Sand thieves can amass at least RM48.9mil a month and RM587mil in a year.
Yaakob said illegal sand mining was still rampant in Selangor but the state authorities would go all out to catch the culprits.
The activity is especially rampant in Gombak, Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor and Sepang.
Those involved in the activities – individuals or companies – would not only be hauled to court but would be blacklisted from doing business in Selangor, said Yaakob.
“We are cracking down on illegal operators and have conducted joint operations with the police, Land Office and Road Transport Department. We urge the public to provide us with information,” he said.
He added that those found guilty of conducting earth works without the council’s approval or stealing sand could be fined up to RM25,000 under the Local Government Act.
