Tuaran: The Lands and Surveys Department confiscated an excavator and a 10-tonne lorry in a raid on a hill-cutting site in Kampung Bundung, here, last Friday.
Its Director Datuk Sr. Bernard Liew Chau Min said the department’s enforcement team conducted the raid following public information and complaints.
He said the party involved were found to be digging, taking and moving earth in the hill area without obtaining any permission or licence to carry out such activities at the site.
Any digging, taking and moving earth activity without permission and licence from the Lands and Surveys Department is an offence under Section 168 of the Sabah Land Ordinance, Cap 68, said Bernard.
“During the raid around 10.15am, the department’s enforcement team seized a Hitachi-Zaxis 350 H excavator and a 10-tonne lorry.
“However, no arrest was made as the workers involved managed to escape.
“The department has lodged a report at the nearby police station about the raid and seizure.
“An Investigation Paper (IP) will be opened as soon as the Investigation Unit of the Enforcement Division obtains all the information needed, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the provisions in the Sabah Land Ordinance, Cap 68,” he said in a statement, Thursday.
He said the department’s enforcement team will continue to monitor the activities of illegal extraction of soil/sand/stone or other minerals throughout Sabah.
“Monitoring is not only during working days but also on weekends and public holidays.
“We will not hesitate to take action against anyone found not complying with the rules and violate the laws provided under the Sabah Land Ordinance, Cap 68,” he added.
