ALOR STAR: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is urging the state government and local authorities to act on complaints by villagers of Kampung Padang, Sungai Kecil Hilir in Bandar Baharu over the operation of quarry sites in their area.
Its president Meenakshi Rahman said the villagers claimed that the quarry operation was affecting the local community.
She stressed that without swift action, the situation may compromise the safety of the villagers while posing a threat to the environment.
"SAM is calling for the Kedah state government, Bandar Baharu Municipal Council, Land and Mines Office (PTG), Bandar Baharu District Office, the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) and the Department of Environmental (DoE) to review the quarry activity operating in Kampung Padang.
"The villagers have to deal with many issues such as the presence of cracks in their walls, dusty roads, and noises from rock-crushing machines operating late into the night, causing discomfort amongst the villagers.
Meenakshi said lorries entering and leaving the quarry site have also raised concern amongst the villagers, as they often cause dusty roads and flying debris.
"The villagers also claim that the lorry drivers sometimes disregard the safety of other road users.
"The villagers claim that the lorry drivers were speeding and disregarded speed limits, especially nearby residential and school areas," she said while urging the Road Transport Department to investigate the claims.
She added that representatives from Kampung Padang said they have lodged several reports and protests to the Bandar Baharu Land District Office but claimed that no effective action had been taken.
"SAM has also written several letters to the authorities concerned, but it is frustrating that the PTG and Bandar Baharu Land and District Office have never responded to the issue.
Meenakshi claimed that there are many unclear aspects regarding the quarry, including the status of the stone quarry.
"Initially, all the quarries operating in the area were red earth quarries. However, in recent years, one of the quarries has changed its status into a stone quarry.
"This matter needs to be clarified by the Bandar Baharu Land and District Office and the state PTG without pointing fingers at other parties.
She said while SAM had been informed that several enforcement teams had visited the site, the situation was only kept under control for several weeks.
"Hence, the question is, was there any investigation being carried out and what sort of action taken by the authorities against the quarry operators should they breach the terms and regulations?
"What are the follow-up actions and monitoring that have been carried out to ensure their compliance with the licence terms and resolving the issue of disturbance, pollution and safety threat reported by the villagers?" she asked.
Meenakshi also urged the authorities to investigate another issue affecting villagers living near a red earth quarry on Bukit 300 Kaki in Serdang, Bandar Baharu.
"SAM was informed that the quarry operation is causing harm to the villagers living on lower ground, as heavy rainfall causes water from the quarry's retention pond to overflow, leading to mud floods.
"Complaints have also been lodged by the villagers, but no effective action has been taken by the relevant authorities," she added.