IPOH: The setting up of a new unit and stricter regulations to combat sand theft and smuggling activities have yielded good results with the state government's revenue increasing significantly this year.
State anti-sand mining theft committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said under the new regulations, it was compulsory for sand mining operators to have the 4C and K3 permits to carry out their mining activities.
The 4C permit allows them to operate their mining activities in approved area, while the K3 document enables them to sell sand to other states.
The state sand management, under the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc), managed to increase the revenue from sand mining activities to RM6 million in the first seven months of this year compared with RM480,000 collected from October to December last year.
“The establishment of the new unit in October helped us reduce illegal sand mining activities. At the same time, those who sell sand for projects in the state can claim rebate from the state government,” said Mah, who is also state Health, Public Transport, Non-Muslim Affairs, National Integration and Kampung Baru Committee chairman.
He was speaking after visiting the state sand mining management command centre at the Perak Techno Trade Centre, here, yesterday.
Mah said the state government had endorsed the use of 26-tyre tipping lorry for sand mining activities, instead of the current 14-tyre lorry.
However, he said the operators would have to wait for approval from the Road and Transport Department before using such vehicles.