BCS DID NOT LOG IN PROPOSED CEMENT PLANT AREA - MASIUNG

TONGOD, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Borneo Cement (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (BCS) chairman Datuk Masiung Banah has clarified that there are no logs within the limestone hill area designated for a proposed clinker and cement plant in Kampung Kayawoi, near here.

The Kuamut state assemblyman said that while there were remnants of logs in the lowland area initially, logging activities had taken place several years before the plant was proposed.

"Allegations that the company conducted logging activities while carrying out land works to build access roads to the quarry site are untrue," he said in a statement today.

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After visiting the phase one works at the BCS quarry site in Kampung Susui, near here, Masiung noted that almost the entire limestone hill stretch in the licensed area approved by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is sparsely vegetated.

He said the first-phase activities, now licensed under the EIA, include the construction of the quarry site, land works and building roads to the limestone-rich location.

"We will not violate the governance requirements set by the EIA. Moreover, every inch of our work is fully monitored by the Department of Environment," he stated.

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The proposed plant, which involves an investment of RM1.2 billion, is a joint venture between the Sabah government, Sri Alam Setia Sdn Bhd (which established BCS) and Sinoma Industry Bhd, China's largest cement producer.

A total of 202.3 hectares of land has been gazetted to the Sabah Economic Development Corporation for the project, with an additional 80.9 hectares allocated to BCS for the quarry site, plant office and worker quarters.

-- BERNAMA