In a bid to curb thefts of sand from along the Malaysian coastline at Selangor, the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) has enlisted the help of licenced dredgers.
Norfaezah Shamsuddin, coastal section head of LUAS, explained that gathering information from dredgers legally transporting sand from the area to stockpiles around Westport and Northport would help those acting against sand theft syndicates.
“So far, two dredging companies have come forward to offer information on sand theft activity,” said Shamsuddin.
In addition, she said LUAS has fostered ties with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to co-ordinate efforts to prevent sand thefts and apprehend the criminal syndicates involved.
Sand theft has cost the state government a lot of money and causes environmental damage. Sand dredging is not allowed within 3 nm of the shore.
Recent rampant incidents of sand theft have been attributed to the supply of materials to Pulau Indah, a rapidly proceeding industrial, commercial, and residential development that will cover almost 2,200 ha.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
