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Whither our Sand?

  • Publication Date | October 22, 2013
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Coastal Ecosystem, Development, Pollution, Reclamation
  • Tags | E&O, MACC, marine life, Penang, sand-mining, Tanjung Tokong
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is very concerned that exploitation of sand resources will soon render the country with increasing environmental problems and socio-economic consequences. The demand for sand and gravel continue to increase and this has brought about over-extraction and illegal sand-mining activities in Malaysia.

In 2011, a total of 1,036 permits were given out for extraction of sand and gravel with the total production amounting to 37,339,082 tonnes. Besides these official figures, millions of tonnes of sand and gravel would have been pilfered through illegal sand-mining activities and miners not abiding conditions stipulated in their permit.

Over the years, there have been news reports of sand stealing, some involving bribes or inducements for approval or to expedite approval of sand-mining permits or to refrain from taking action against those illegally mining or transporting sand. Whether illegal or legal, sand mining has changed the landscape of many areas, adversely impacted the environment and even caused accidents and deaths.

Where does all this sand end up? Sand is used in the construction industry, land reclamations, creation of artificial islands, coastline stabilization, etc. The Malaysian government prohibits export of sand except for silica sand. However there is smuggling involved. For instance, in 2010, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reported that it had smashed a syndicate smuggling sand into a neighbouring country.

We expect more sand will be mined for the creation of artificial islands off Tanjung Tokong by Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) for the proposed Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase II development project. The project proposal states that 33.1 million cubic metres of sand will be needed and would be sourced offshore Lumut in Perak. In addition to destroying fishing grounds off the coast of Tanjung Tokong to make way for the project, it would also adversely impact fishing grounds offshore of Lumut. 

Marine life, livelihood of fishers and the environment on the whole seems to be secondary to the developers and approving authority.

Nevertheless, the Drainage and Irrigation Department recognises that mushrooming of river sand mining activities have given rise to various problems such as river bank erosion, river bed degradation, river buffer zone encroachment, and deterioration of water quality (River Sand Mining Management Guideline, DID 2009). Environmental problems also occur when the rate of extraction of sand, gravel and other materials exceeds the rate at which natural processes generate these materials.

Channel instability and sedimentation from in-stream mining have also damaged public infrastructure such as bridges, roads and pipelines. Impacts to the biological resources include removal of fauna and alteration of the available substrate. This process can also destroy riverine vegetation, cause erosion, pollute water sources and reduce the diversity of animals supported by these habitats.

Determining the sand budget for a particular stream reach requires site-specific topographic, hydrologic, and hydraulic information. This information is used to determine the amount of sand that can be removed from the area without causing undue erosion or degradation, either at the site or at a nearby location, upstream or downstream.

Decisions on where to mine, how much and how often require the definition of a reference state, i.e. a minimally acceptable or agreed-upon physical and biological condition of the channel.

In Peninsular Malaysia, environmental impact assessments are limited to sand dredging involving an area of 50 hectares or more. Authorities such as the Department of Environment have not carried out any study on the cumulative impacts of sand-mining to our environment. 

It just seems that the sand-miners are almighty, ever-present bringing wrought to the environment because the public servants that are supposed to protect our natural resources just keep silent, are in cohorts with the miners or simply cater to the people in power for the sake of royalty received from the sales of sand.

The damage is done and even if measures are taken to rehabilitate, it will take years or decades for some streams to recover from in-stream mining. The only way to mitigate would be to strictly monitor approval given for sand-mining and provided that the mining activities are kept within the hydraulic limits set by the natural system.

The government should also cease all reclamation projects and reject those that are being proposed because these reclamation projects involves extraction and transporting of sand from one place to build up land in another place.

We urge both the Federal and State government to revamp the law and procedure for issuing sand mining permits. The authorities responsible in ensuring that our natural resources are protected and not exploited should carry out their duties without fear or favour. Failure to handle the problem of sand-mining could have devastating effects on the environment, lives and livelihood. 

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS
President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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