By Alen Kee
TAWAU: The "Save Sin Onn Hill" campaign has gained steam with Tawau member of parliament Datuk Chua Soon Bui taking note of the issue and throwing her support behind Sabah Environmental Protection Association Tawau's call to halt the blasting.
Chua was briefed by SEPA Tawau head Gary Yap, who said quarrying activity at the Sin Onn Hill, which is locally known as Lee Man Kui Quarry, is carried out in contravention of the Sabah Land Ordinance under Section 26 (1) and (2).
Gary said the only way for such activity to be carried out is to have the area de-gazetted by the State Assembly.
"No government officers can approve for quarry activity on the 2.5 acres Sin Onn Hill Trig Land Reserve," he said.
Sadly, he said a survey conducted by Jurukur Sabah Tawau found that 0.90 acres are already planted with palm oil trees, 0.40 acres covered with some trees and bushes and grass, and the Trig Hill location point (A triangular shaped structure) has been removed with only the concrete stump remaining.
“According to the findings, 1.2 acres of the trig hill reserve has been blasted, excavated and removed and this had created a cliff of 90 degrees drop at the side of the hill," he said, adding the height of the Trig Hill station is 180 meters above sea level.
Gary said the activity is an environmental disaster in the making as it will change the climate of Tawau.
He said Tawau is blessed with many hills around it such as Kukusan Hill, Bukit Gemuk, Tinagat Hill, Tawau Hill and Sin Onn Hill which protect against strong winds and typhoons.
"Take away these hills and we will have strong winds and heavy rains and more floods," he said.
He called on the government to exercise the Sabah Land Ordinance as more and more people are planting crops on top of ridges, at river banks and building illegal homes on river reserves which is a clear violation of the law which must be stopped before it is too late.
The Borneo Post
Friday, January 6, 2012
Page A7
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