Illegal quarry operating in Penang is gross negligence, says NGO

The existence and ongoing operations of an illegal quarry in Teluk Bahang, Penang, shows "gross negligence" by government authorities, said an environmental watchdog.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman (above) expressed shock that the illegal granite quarry has been carrying out its activities despite the authorities knowing of its operations since 2016.

She cited The Star's front page report today that the state government has known about the illegal quarry since its expose in May 2016.

It is learnt that Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had issued a stop-work notice in February and May this year, but the operator continued to carry out the quarry works.

Malaysiakini has contacted MBPP mayor Yew Tung Seang (below) and is awaiting his response to the matter.

State executive councillor on local government Jagdeep Singh Deo will be responding to the matter in a press conference today.

"It is indeed mind-boggling and shocking that the government authorities have not acted with more urgency, despite the non-compliance by the quarry operator of the stop-work orders, and the violation of all the relevant laws in place," Meenakshi said in a statement.

"To compound matters, the illegal operations have been taking place partly on hill lands above 76m (250 ft.), which is contrary to the Penang Structure Plan, especially for activities of this sort which involves quarrying and blasting," she added.

According to the report, all the trees on the 120 metre high hill in question have been felled, earning itself the label "Botak Hill 2".

At the height of the 2013 national polls, another bare hill was seen on top of Bukit Relau, 370 metres above sea level.

A private developer was fined in court over the incident, which was dubbed 'Botak Hill" (below) as the deforestation could be seen from the Penang bridge.

Meenakshi claimed that the quarry is situated in an environmentally sensitive area quite close to water-catchment forests and the Teluk Bahang dam.

"How the quarry operator has been able to get away with such environmentally damaging activities in an environmentally sensitive area, illegally for all these years raises very serious questions," she said.

"Why did the government authorities, including the Penang government which is responsible for quarrying activities under the National Land Code, as well as the MBPP, not take stern action urgently when the quarry operator was happily flouting the laws?" she asked.

"Clearly, the government's inaction in taking stern and quick measures smacks of gross negligence on the part of the authorities who have allowed the illegal activities to continue."

Meenakshi said the quarry operator should have been charged and prosecuted for the illegal acts, with strong and deterrent punishment being pursued, instead of being allowed to carry on its work.

She noted that this is yet another case which goes to show that enforcement of the laws is lacking and poor in Penang, at all levels of the government.

"Beefing up the state and local governments’ enforcement capacities has long been overdue," said Meenakshi.

She urged the Penang government and the MBPP to buck up and take urgent action to stop the illegal quarry, and haul the operator to court, and push for a jail sentence.

"The quarry operator should also be required to rehabilitate and restore the area, which has been ravaged by the quarry works.

"Urgent and stern action should be forthcoming now, and the authorities should not be waiting for yet another media expose before acting," stressed Meenakshi. - Mkini