KOTA KINABALU: Indigenous rights activist Adrian Lasimbang has urged the Sabah Environment Protection Department (EPD) to release the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports concerning the RM2 billion silica sand mining project in the northern Kudat district, situated approximately 130km away from the city.
Lasimbang, the president of Pertubuhan Suara Anak Sabah (Sabah Native Voices Organisation), disclosed that both local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and residents from the affected villages have been seeking access to the EIAs. While Lasimbang received two reports related to the silica sand mining project in Sikuati, he remains uncertain about their authenticity and final status.
Highlighting concerns raised by NGOs, Lasimbang emphasized the need to verify if the reports addressed these issues and if the conditions set by NGOs were met by the China-based Kibing Group, the company behind the project. He expressed the villagers’ anxiety, particularly regarding the accessibility to Bangau beach, a vital source of livelihood for many.
Calling for increased transparency, Lasimbang proposed making the EIAs accessible on the EPD website, facilitating the convenience of Kudat residents. Additionally, he recommended that the EPD organize a consultation meeting with villagers to discuss the EIA review process.
In August 2022, residents from five villages near Kudat protested against the silica sand mining project, expressing concerns about potential environmental harm to Bangau beach and its surroundings. The villagers, who rely on the beach and sea for their livelihoods, urged the Sabah government to intervene and halt the project.
EPD director Vitalis Moduying, in June of the preceding year, assured that the processing plant’s construction was underway, and every phase of the project was under assessment. He stated that four EIA reports had been submitted to the department, two each for the processing plant and the Sikuati mining site. Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe had previously stated that all environmental concerns raised by villagers had been recorded in the EIA study.
Despite these assurances, Lasimbang revealed ongoing concerns among villagers during a recent visit to Bangau beach, indicating a stream with dark water flowing into the sea. He expressed worry over the potential impact on the ecosystem, emphasizing the need for environmental NGOs to address such issues.
Lasimbang further clarified that the villagers do not dispute the land’s ownership but are troubled about losing access to the beach, emphasizing the indigenous people’s customary rights to utilize the foraging area. Another concern raised was whether the EIAs considered that Bangau beach is part of the marine biodiversity-rich Tun Mustapha Park (TMP), a Totally Protected Area (TTP).
In response to previous concerns, state Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew stated that the dark water overflow was a natural occurrence due to heavy rain and proximity to a mangrove area. Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) President Alexander Yee corroborated this information, adding that checks by environmental groups found no link between the alleged pollution and mining operations.
WWF-Malaysia cautioned against the silica sand mining project, citing potential negative impacts on surrounding communities, particularly due to fine silica dust particles known to be hazardous with long-term exposure. The Sikuati coastal area includes part of the Kudat and Marudu Bay Class V Mangrove Forest, adjacent to TMP’s preservation zone.