Sand Mining documents stolen!

By Stephanie Sta Maria

SHAH ALAM: PKR's Kapar MP S Manikavasagam is baffled over the loss of documents related to sand mining transactions in Selangor from the state secretariat complex here.

An unnamed officer with the Selangor Land and Mines Department yesterday lodged a police report after discovering that the documents were missing from his office on the fourth floor of the building.

The officer is reportedly conducting an internal investigation into sand mining in the state.



The sand mining issue exploded last month after Manikavasagam, known as Mike, filed a police report over the alleged corruption in Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB), a Selangor-owned sand mining company.

“The theft of confidential state documents is unacceptable,” he told FMT this afternoon.

“An investigation must be done immediately to resolve this issue and ensure it never recurs. I also urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter,” he said.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who termed it as a serious offence, said the documents could still be traced using the secretariat's computer system.

KSSB and the Selangor Land and Mines Department officials have declined to reveal the contents of the stolen documents, adding that they have been directed against giving statements to the media.

“I will not push further”

Meanwhile, Manikavsagam clarified that his role in the sand mining issue will end here following the recent three-day public inquiry carried out by the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Trasparency (Selcat) on his allegation.

Selcat concluded that there was mismanagement of funds within KSSB but no indication of graft.

The verdict came as a blow to Manikavasagam, especially since his attempts to introduce new witnesses and evidence during the hearing were disallowed.

“I will now leave it to Selcat and the MB to conduct a clean-up in whatever way they wish. But I hope they realise that the clean-up has to extend beyond KSSB to the District Land Offices as well.

“I am upset with Selcat though. The complainants who sought my help are upset with me for not continuing to pursue this issue but I think I have done my best and I will not push any further,” he said.