NREB controller: Contractor for cable car project must get approval first

KUCHING: It seems that the proposal to build a cable car at the Santubong peninsula has not been rejected despite reports of illegal land clearing.

Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) controller Peter Sawal said yesterday that the contractor who wanted to build the cable car would not be allowed to proceed, until they get approval.

Speaking after the closing of a childrens environment camp at Santubong, Sawal was however circumspect on details.

Asked whether those behind the illegal land clearing would be penalised, he said: What I can say is that we have investigated. We have taken action by asking them to stop. Thats why you dont see any (more) clearing until everything is formalised. Thats the step weve taken. Beyond that, I cant tell.

Aside from the board, he said the state Land and Survey Department could also take action against those behind the illegal land clearing.

Land and Survey told them to get out, he said.

On whether the project could still go ahead, he said it was up to them to formalise their proposal. Formalise means they must get all the approvals done, looking at all the requirements including EIA (environmental impact assessments).

The controller declined to reveal the company or person/s behind the illegal land clearing.

I am not privy to reveal. Its partly (been) reported in (the) newspapers, Sawal said.

According to reports in recent weeks, two companies have been named publicly as wanting to build a cable car up Mount Santubong. One is closely linked to the owner of a nearby resort, who also has a hotel near Kuching International Airport, while the other company said it was still fund-raising.

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NREB controller: Contractor for cable car project must get approval first