KUCHING: A police report was lodged yesterday after over 100 graves at the Muslim Cemetery in Seruai Spaoh were eroded, believed to be due to sand mining activities along the Saribas River.
The police report was made by the head of PKR Batang Lupar Branch, Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh at Gita Police Station yesterday.
Abang Zulkifli told a a press conference at the PKR office at 3rd Mile here yesterday that the police report was made so that investigation would be carried out and actions taken by the Land and Survey Department, Natural Resource Environment Board (NREB) and the Sarawak River Board (SRB).
“I was informed by reliable sources that the said area had approval from the Land and Survey for the sand mining activities to be carried out. But I suspect that no EIA report has been carried out,” he said.
“I hope the State government will thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate actions.”
According to Abang Zulkifli, he is very concerned about the matter as the erosion caused by the sand mining activities is not only affecting the Muslim cemetery but also involved nine other Malay villages in the Saribas and Saban areas, namely, Spaoh, Bunyin, Belingan, Sebemban, Tanjong Asam, Seremban, Buda, Supak and Mamut.
He said the sand mining activities at the Muara Saribas had been going on for the past five to six years.
Also present at the press conference was PH Sarawak Information Chief, PKR Sarawak Information Chief and Betong Branch PKR Chief, Vernon Kedit.
