THE IDYLLIC coastal district of Kudat has come into the spotlight after an indigenous rights activist questioned a mining company's activities, pointing to environmental pollution near the site of sand mining operations in the area.
Adrian Lasimbang conducted a fact-finding mission at Bangau beach near Sikuati in Kudat, where he observed disturbing changes in a stream flowing into the sea as it had turned blackish.
He expressed concern that this was due to possible contamination related to activities to mine sand for silica processing in the area.
The dark liquid discharge had appeared to permeate the subsoil and surfaced into the stream.
“I am not against the good effort of the company which is creating an industry in Sabah related to renewable energy, but they have to make sure environmental guidelines are followed strictly at all stages.
“They also need to be transparent in doing so,” he said in comments made to The Vibes.
Lasimbang had represented the DAP in serving as a senator from Sabah from 2018 to 2021. He decided to return to ground activism in 2022.
The Sabah government had given approval for a silica processing industry to be developed in the state last year.
It also approved land covering about 300 hectares in Sikuati for mining purposes, as well as a jetty and a related plant in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park.
Lasimbang's visit to the beach revealed what he deemed as an irony – pollution of the environment by an operation ostensibly linked to renewable energy.
He challenged officials from the Sabah Environment Protection on the matter. An official asserted that the sand mining operations posed no health hazards, and that it was safe to visit the beach and even drink water from the contaminated stream, he said.
“Now I challenge the official to come to this beach and drink the water from this stream that flows out into the sea,” said Lasimbang as he held up a transparent plastic bottle with coffee-like liquid drawn from the stream.
Lasimbang, who is the president of the Suara Anak Sabah Organisation, also claimed that the beach's ecosystem had been disrupted.
For example, crabs that typically inhabit the area had disappeared, he said.
“This is also an indicator that the area has been polluted. The crabs may be dead,” he said.
Lasimbang and his colleagues held a meeting with local villagers who shared concerns about the mining operations. The residents highlighted their discomfort with the presence of mostly foreign workers entering the nearby site and expressed fears about the safety of the local community. – The Vibes, February 19, 2024
