Sarawak folklore sites being destroyed
Abdul Hakim BujangPublished: Jan 20, 2007 5:50 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Gunung Sejinjang, a hill made famous by Sarawak folklore Puteri Santubong is at risk of disappearing from the map as developers are racing against time to turn the sleepy hollow of the Santubong peninsula into housing estates.
Two sites made famous by Sarawakian folklores are under threat from housing developers. Residents claim the authorities are turning a blind eye to the environmental damage caused.
Gunung Sejinjang, a hill made famous by Sarawak folklore Puteri Santubong is at risk of disappearing from the map as developers are racing against time to turn the sleepy hollow of the Santubong peninsula into housing estates.
Over the past few days, numerous trucks were ferrying earth extracted from Gunung Sejinjang to the proposed housing site less than two kilometres from Kampung Pasir Pandak.
"It is rather ironic that the chief minister (Taib Mahmud) who frequently used this road for not realising what is happening to Gunung Sejinjang," Pasir Pandak Village Fishermen Association secretary, Mohd Sirat Bol told malaysiakini.
Sirat claimed that excavation works at Gunung Sejinjang have been going on for quite some time and is not likely to stop as they are many housing project development taking place in the area.
Thousands of low and medium cost houses were constructed in the Santubong area mainly by well connected housing developers into what is know known as Samariang new township, while a luxury condo was built in the foothill of Mt Santubong.
"One must remember that Gunung Sejinjang is a historical icon. And where is the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)? With the sand extraction work, erosion problem would become a constant threat to our family," added Sirat
Illegal sand mining?
Sirat also alleged that the sand used at the same site were taken illegally from the nearby Pulau Kera waters, another significant name among Sarawakian legends.
Sirat, a former PBB division youth leader, claimed that he had brought up their plight to the relevant authority - the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) officials but was given the run around.
"When we want to lodge a police report, we were (allegedly) advised against it by the Santubong police station personnel. Why is this so?" he asked.
A fisherman affected by the operations, Hadeni Edi, said villagers were angry with the sand extraction.
"They are not only extracting the sand but throwing their refuse such as snapped steel cable into the water," he said, adding that the authorities have been turning a blind eye.
Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi (right), who visited the affected areas pledge to help the villagers.
Wan Zainal said they would approach the relevant authority for the EIA report of the said housing projects, and find out who gave permission for Gunung Sejinjang and Pulau Kera waters destruction.
"We are presuming that these works are being carried out illegally, but if they have permission from the authority, that would speak volume of the government's bad administration," he lamented.
Over the past few days, numerous trucks were ferrying earth extracted from Gunung Sejinjang to the proposed housing site less than two kilometres from Kampung Pasir Pandak. "It is rather ironic that the chief minister (Taib Mahmud) who frequently used this road for not realising what is happening to Gunung Sejinjang," Pasir Pandak Village Fishermen Association secretary, Mohd Sirat Bol told malaysiakini.
Sirat claimed that excavation works at Gunung Sejinjang have been going on for quite some time and is not likely to stop as they are many housing project development taking place in the area.
Thousands of low and medium cost houses were constructed in the Santubong area mainly by well connected housing developers into what is know known as Samariang new township, while a luxury condo was built in the foothill of Mt Santubong. "One must remember that Gunung Sejinjang is a historical icon. And where is the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)? With the sand extraction work, erosion problem would become a constant threat to our family," added Sirat
Illegal sand mining?
Sirat also alleged that the sand used at the same site were taken illegally from the nearby Pulau Kera waters, another significant name among Sarawakian legends.
Sirat, a former PBB division youth leader, claimed that he had brought up their plight to the relevant authority - the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) officials but was given the run around.
"When we want to lodge a police report, we were (allegedly) advised against it by the Santubong police station personnel. Why is this so?" he asked.
A fisherman affected by the operations, Hadeni Edi, said villagers were angry with the sand extraction.
"They are not only extracting the sand but throwing their refuse such as snapped steel cable into the water," he said, adding that the authorities have been turning a blind eye. Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi (right), who visited the affected areas pledge to help the villagers. Wan Zainal said they would approach the relevant authority for the EIA report of the said housing projects, and find out who gave permission for Gunung Sejinjang and Pulau Kera waters destruction.
"We are presuming that these works are being carried out illegally, but if they have permission from the authority, that would speak volume of the government's bad administration," he lamented.
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