KLANG: The rampant sand theft in Selangor is certain to be a topic of heated debate in the state assembly next week, with Barisan Nasional assemblymen bringing up the issue.

MCA’s Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman Wong Koon Mun said the current system of allowing state-owned Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) to monopolise sand mining had led to corruption and inflated property prices.

“When they first appointed KSSB to manage sand, I said it was a wrong move,” he told The Star.

Wong believed that one reason why illegal mining happened over the past few years was the lack of enforcement.

“KSSB sub-contracts the work, and they get the royalty. But who monitors them? Where’s the check and balance?” he asked.

Wong said the free market system practised under the previous Barisan state government was better as it allowed private land owners to apply for permits to mine sand on their property.

By allowing competition, he said, sand prices could be kept low, thus preventing construction costs from spiralling.

PKR’s Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam agreed there was a lack of enforcement, and proposed that a task force be set up to monitor sand mining.

He also called on the Selangor select committee on competency, accountability and transparency to conduct hearings urgently, citing an example two years ago when it took months for witnesses to be called up.

“By then, the witnesses had lost interest and declined to testify at the committee’s hearing,” he said.

State Opposition Leader Datuk Satim Diman said Barisan representatives were sure to raise the matter in the state assembly.

“I reserve my comments for now. I will address this in the Dewan,” said the Seri Serdang assemblyman from Umno.

Wong, Yap Ei Wah (Sungai Pelek), Abdul Shukor Idrus (Kuang), Datuk Satim Diman (Seri Serdang) and Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal (Taman Templer) are among the Barisan assemblymen expected to debate the issue.

-The Star-