KUCHING, Dec 8: SEDC assures the public that the stone crushing and clearing up of the remaining quarry stone stockpile at Stabar Quarry site at 7th Mile, Padawan by its subsidiary CMS Quarries Sdn Bhd is safe and in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
In a statement today, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain revealed the stone crushing activities have been given approval by the state government to proceed.
“These specific stone crushing activities together with related transportation and sales activities are still being carried out with the permission of the Land and Survey Department,” he disclosed.
He explained that Stabar Quarry has been given approval to undertake these specific operations for a period of six months from December 4, 2020 to June 3, 2021 until the remaining stockpile is totally cleared.
He also revealed that CMS Quarries has stopped its blasting operations at Stabar Quarry on November 13, two weeks before the expiry of its licence on November 29.
Abdul Aziz was responding to recent allegations on the status of Stabar Quarry operations as despite the non-renewal of its licence it has been given approval to undertake specific stone crushing activities, which may be misunderstood by local residents living nearby the area.
Abdul Aziz added the present clearing operations involved heavy machinery and lorries with heavy loads moving in and out of the Stabar Quarry.
Nonetheless, he pointed out, these activities are in line with the permitted crushing and transporting activities that the quarry is currently undertaking.
“We can assure the public that all these activities are being carried out in strict compliance with stringent regulatory requirements and the relevant SOPs set by the relevant authorities,” he added.
He disclosed SEDC will cooperate with all parties to facilitate any further investigation into the quarry’s current operations.
“We are confident that in complying with the Land and Survey Department’s instructions, we are acting within the law.
“We are focused on ensuring that all remaining resources within the quarries are utilised fully and do not go to waste.
“We would also like to reassure communities in the vicinity and other parties that the Stabar Quarry is no longer undertaking blasting operations while at the same time we seek their kind cooperation and understanding that the clearing of remaining stockpiles of quarry stones is done accordingly,” he reiterated.
He added SEDC and its related subsidiary company have plans to rehabilitate and develop the areas surrounding the quarry into a lakefront development comprising residential and commercial components which will be unveiled in due course. — DayakDaily
