The Selangor government has been urged to stop sand mining activities on state land as it will have a far-reaching implication on the environment in the long run.

NONE Opposition leader Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said if the activities remain unchecked the state would become a hollow state with many huge holes.

"I found some areas were left with huge holes and ponds up to a depth of 80 feet (24.3 metres). It will cost more to refill the land than to mine it for sand.

"This could have adverse implications on future development, especially for new housing schemes and agriculture projects," he told reporters at his office in Shah Alam today.

Khir said the previous government (BN) allowed sand

mining activities only on private land after getting approvals from 12

departments.

As such, he called on the state government to close its subsidiary, Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) and hand over sand mining administration to the state Land and Mines Office.

Meanwhile, a survey at a sand mining area in Kampung Bukit Changgang, Dengkil found that 20ha of 120ha the state land had been excavated to a depth of 24.3 metres in two weeks.

The area is barely 16.6 metres from the Paya Indah Wetlands.

A resident, Bahaman Ahmad Jiman, 39, said sand mining activities in the area started two weeks ago with up to 20 lorry loads of sand excavated daily.

- Bernama