SHAH ALAM, June 22: The Kumpulan Semesta Sendirian Berhad (KSSB) will not compromise with any form of fraud, particularly in activities such as recent case of sand theft reported at Sungai Batangsi, Kampung Pasir Baru, Semanyih.
However, KSSB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Azimuddin Bahari said that KSSB does not have the authority to carry out any enforcement activities because it is under the jurisdiction of the Land Administrator, under the provisions of the National Land Code.
However, he said that KSSB is constantly monitoring transfer of sand without permits and to report to the authorities.
“KSSB is constantly monitoring and reporting to the police, the Selangor Water management Authority (Luas), the Land Office and the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTGS) for their action under the provision of respective laws,” he said in a statement today.
Commenting on the report of sand theft at Sungai Batangsi, Dr Azimuddin said that the authorities such as the Hulu Langat Land and District Office (PTD), PTGS and Luas have several times held raids and seized machines.
Dr Azimuddin said that the allegation that illegal sand mining actives managed to yield a profit of RM300,000 is ridiculous.
“The quantity of production to achieve such a yield is more than the production of a sand mine; seeing that the operation that took place was to only take sand from the river where the quantity of sand has its limits,” he said.
He added that allegations that the river sand mining activities cause flooding are also inaccurate.
“From experience, KSSB has found that river mining operations carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with the rules is a method to prevent flooding,” he added.
According to him, KSSB has proven an increase in sand royalty collection which exceeds the collection prior to 2008 by three times and this amount is growing from year to year.
