SAND OPERATORS WISHED TO MAINTAIN OLD SYSTEM

A GROUP of sand operators approached the KK MP Hiew King Cheu to express their dismay and worries towards the proposal that in the future the whole sand extraction right in Sabah will be handed over to the SEDCO by the Land and Survey Department which is already agreed in principle by the state government.

They urged the KK MP office to highlight the various issues and matters concerning their livelihood in the business of sand extraction from the rivers. They felt worry when this was mentioned and announced by the Director of Land and Survey especially when the director did not disclose much details concerning the future administration of the sand dredging business which is depending on the license and TOL issued by the department. They said when SEDCO finally taken over the sand extraction right will definitely complicate the business.

The sand operators wanted the government to be more considerate in their business, and also in their heavy investment to produce building sand for the building industry. They said usually they have to take a long time to apply for the license which only valid and last for three years, and the process is very tedious and strict. They worry what happen next when their permit expired and not being renewed, and their investment and the land next to the river that they bought for the operation will all go to waste. They said there is no guarantee that they permit will be renewed by the new controller, and they wanted to maintain the present arrangement of sand extraction with the Land and Survey department.

The sand theft is the problem of the authorities to counter, and this should not be the reason to drag the licensed operator being penalized. Many of the existing licensed operators had been in the business more than 20 years and they wish to carry out the business like before. They also express that they worry about the taking over by SEDCO will bring in some other competitors and more difficult for them to make a living. They said sand extraction from the river is not making big profit anyway.

There are other reasons involved, and they hope the government should review the proposal and study this in more depth before implementing it. KK MP Hiew said after listening to them he has understood their basic difficulties and worries, and he told them he will bring the matter up and highlight these to the government for their consideration.

Nonetheless, it is entirely up to the government they will consider or whether they will carry out this proposal to allow SEDCO to gain control over the sand extraction right. The sand operators are entitled to voice out their views and seek better deals, and it is their rights to protect their livelihood and business for not allowing someone else to infringe into.