Selangor wants offices to help probe into sand theft

(The Star) – The Selangor state government has requested the land and district offices in Rawang, Kuala Langat and Semenyih to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) in its investigation into the alleged sand theft at these sites.

In a statement yesterday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state government welcomed MACC’s move to conduct investigations into the allegations of sand mining at the locations involved.

“If needed, they (offices) are to help in terms of enforcement.

“We hope the investigation will put a stop to the illegal sand-mining activities that took place before 2008. This led to huge losses for the state and the people of Selangor,” he said.

Khalid said the syndicates behind the sand-mining theft must be nabbed and punished accordingly, as they had stolen from the state’s revenue.

“This revenue should have been for the enjoyment of all Selangor residents via the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) programme,” he said.

On Feb 26, MACC said they were keeping close tabs on the sites where sand thieves were believed to be operating.

After a report on sand-mining in Rawang, the Gombak Land Office set up two tents and stationed 13 men and two vehicles at Bandar Country Homes.

In July 2010, Sri Muda assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei and Batu Caves assemblyman Amirudin Shari were questioned by MACC for their alleged involvment in sand-mining activities.