By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Nov 22 — Special approvals for sand mining can be issued on a case-to-case basis, bypassing Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd, the state subsidiary tasked with managing and operating such activities, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told today.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is subject to discussions and approvals from the relevant state agencies based on several factors and justifications.
He was responding to questions by the Opposition on the state’s decision to grant approvals to Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) and KL Larut Sdn Bhd for sand dredging and mining works in Selangor.
Addressing the House, Amirudin said while Kumpulan Semesta has been appointed the state’s sand concessionaire, LLSB was given special approval for mining works in Sungai Klang as it is the master developer for the river’s rejuvenation under the Selangor Maritime Gateway project.
“As such, I believe it is appropriate they be allowed to conduct parts of the digging and cleaning of the river.
“I would also like to note that not everything dredged from Sungai Klang is sand. It also includes mud and litter. Sand only makes up a small portion of it,” he said.
Amirudin added that if the dredging activity was to go through Kumpulan Semesta, the whole process would have been lengthened.
On the state government’s decision to renew the mining lease for more than 1,000 acres of land in Bestari Jaya to KL Larut for ten years beginning in March 2020, the Menteri Besar said the Selangor State Executive Council gave a special approval based on justifications by various agencies.
This includes the firm’s experience in handling mining activities in the area, as well as the need to expedite works for the completion of the Hybrid Off River Augmentation System (Horas) there.
“We received feedback from various agencies like the Selangor Land and Mines Office and Selangor Water Management Authority. The site is actually the location for Horas.
“If we had delayed the process and given (the lease) to Kumpulan Semesta, which does not have the necessary machinery, they would have to appoint another contractor; it could even be KL Larut.
“These were among the justifications raised and which we considered in the Executive Council,” he said.
However, Amirudin assured that Kumpulan Semesta will still conduct other sand and rock mining activities.
“(LLSB and KL Larut) were two instances where specific decisions had to be made. We have decided that others will continue under Kumpulan Semesta’s purview, particularly on state-owned lands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amirudin dismissed suggestions that LLSB has been exempted from paying rock royalty to the state government for sand mining along Sungai Klang.
To date, it has paid a total of RM195,854, of which RM180,000 is for royalty payments, and the remaining RM15,854 is for a temporary occupation license.
