Beach theft is basically the act of illegally removing large amounts of sand from a beach, leading to the partial or full disappearance of the beach.
This can affect the wildlife in the area, in this case turtles, as well as cause soil salinisation (a major process of land degradation that decreases soil fertility).
The Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – KUASA has taken to their official Twitter account to accuse a company of beach theft in Perak, and allegedly hiring gangsters to attack their activists and residents of the area who protested their activities.
They wrote, “Our activists and residents of the area were attacked by a group of gangsters hired by a company that carried out illegal sand dredging activities in Segari, Manjung, Perak. This activity without a permit is being carried out within the Level 1 Environmentally Sensitive Area and a turtle landing beach.”
“Even though we have made a police report and brought police officers, assemblymen and journalists with us, these gangsters still dared to block us from leaving. We ask that the public viralise this issue and please, YB (The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Perak Menteri Besar Seri Saarani Mohamad take action to stop this activity.”
It is also important to note that, in one of the videos showcased of this incident, it is mentioned by someone from the company that the land is allegedly owned by them.
“This is our land,” the man said.
Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – KUASA went on to explain that the beach should be protected by the authorities considering the turtles that come there to lay eggs.
“Segari, Manjung is the only turtle landing beach in Perak. Now, it is being destroyed by criminal capitalists and the government is not strict with them. While there are laws and policies that prohibit any development in this area, are we an uncivilised country?”
You can check out videos from the incident here:
BERITA TERGEMPAR
Aktivis kami & penduduk kampung diserang sekumpulan gangster upahan syarikat yg menjalankan aktiviti pengorekan pasir haram di Segari, Manjung, Perak.
Aktiviti tanpa permit ini dilakukan di dalam Kawasan Sensitif Alam Sekitar Tahap 1 & pantai pendaratan penyu pic.twitter.com/QIp2zRCSk2
— Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – KUASA (@aktivis_alam) February 2, 2023
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