KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has been called upon to tighten its management and enforcement efforts at Mount Tabai in Bau to curb illegal mining activities, which pose a growing concern in the area.
Mount Tabai’s National Park Status and the Need for Stricter Management
Deputy Premier Highlights Management Gaps
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan emphasized the need for enhanced supervision at Mount Tabai, a site recently gazetted as a National Park, to prevent illegal mining activities that continue to threaten the area’s natural integrity.
“This incident (illegal mining) took place in an area that is already gazetted as a National Park. I have instructed the SFC to improve and tighten the management of the area to ensure this does not happen again,” Awang Tengah said, highlighting the urgency for stricter measures.
He further added that although the area is gazetted, the facilities are still under development, leaving gaps that illegal miners exploit. “Although it has been gazetted, the facilities are not fully established yet, and this is something we are working on,” he explained.
Ongoing Challenges in Curbing Illegal Mining at Mount Tabai
Illegal Gold Mining: A Persistent Threat
Illegal gold mining remains a significant challenge in Mount Tabai as miners attempt to dig in areas believed to contain valuable minerals. The vast size of the park makes it difficult to monitor all access points, allowing individuals to enter undetected.
“These activities are illegal. The vast size of the area makes it difficult to track where these individuals are entering from. But anyway, I have directed the SFC to come up with a management plan so that incidents like this will not be repeated,” Awang Tengah stated.
The Deputy Premier also mentioned that the issue is under investigation, with multiple agencies, including the police, involved in efforts to address the illegal activities. “We will have to wait for investigations to complete. Many agencies, including the police, are involved, so we will see what happens next,” he added.
Tragic Incident Sparks Renewed Calls for Action
Recovery of Indonesian Miner’s Body
The renewed focus on Mount Tabai’s management came after the recent recovery of the body of a 26-year-old Indonesian man, Yoga Anggiska, who went missing on August 13 while allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities. The body was retrieved by a team comprising firefighters, villagers, and family members.
Awang Tengah expressed concern over the safety risks associated with illegal mining, stressing the need for more stringent oversight to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Fostering Innovation in Public Service and Mineral Industry Collaboration
Promoting Creativity and Innovation in Sarawak Civil Service
Speaking at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) Creative and Innovation Group (KIK) Convention 2024 dinner, Awang Tengah underscored the importance of creativity and innovation within public service as a key trend in a competitive environment.
“In a rapidly changing world, fostering creativity within the public service is crucial, as it has become a key trend in today’s competitive environment. This Creativity and Innovation Convention, as always, sets the stage for the prestigious Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Convention Awards (SCSiCA) Awards for 2024,” he said.
MoU Signing for Talent and Workforce Development
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MUDeNR and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) to promote strategic human resource development in the Sarawak mineral industry. The MoU aims to enhance training programs, improve R&D, and add value throughout the mineral-based industry chain.
Moving Forward: The Need for Enhanced Protection of Sarawak’s Natural Resources
Call for More Proactive Measures
The situation at Mount Tabai highlights the need for more proactive measures by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation to protect the state’s natural resources. As illegal mining continues to pose environmental and safety risks, the SFC’s enhanced management and enforcement will be crucial in preserving the integrity of Sarawak’s national parks.
With the support of various agencies and continued innovation in public service, Sarawak aims to tackle these challenges head-on, ensuring the sustainable management of its natural resources for future generations.