KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s vulnerability to landslides and earthquakes has prompted a call to urgently adopt two newly ­developed geospatial systems to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve land-use planning.

The National Geospatial Terrain and Slope Information System (NaTSIS) and the Malaysian Minerals and Geoscience Geospatial Information System (MyGEM) were presented during a four-day engagement programme in Sandakan that brought together 17 government agencies.

Sabah Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) director Dr Frederick Francis Tating told reporters after the event yesterday that available geological data remains limited and often focuses only on disaster-prone areas such as Kundasang, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.

He said both NaTSIS and MyGEM allow agencies to access geological hazard data digitally, enabling more informed and proactive decision-making.

 “This information is very useful, especially in managing geological hazards like landslides and earthquakes,” he added.

The department has also worked with universities, the Public Works Department (JKR) and other technical agencies to produce a Seismic Hazard Map – a key reference used by engineers in earthquake-prone zones.

“This information is used by engineers to design earthquake-­resistant structures. We’ve identified several areas with a high risk of seismic activity such as Kundasang, Ranau, Kudat and Lahad Datu,” said Dr Frederick.

He said mapping of landslide-­prone zones has been ongoing since 2016 under a national project, with areas like Kota Kinabalu and Kundasang already assessed and shared with local authorities.

In Sandakan, a separate study is under way to assess slope ­stability and identify danger zones.

“From our initial observations, we expect this area to have potential risks. Once the study is completed, we’ll be able to determine which locations have low, moderate or high landslide hazard ­levels,” Dr Frederick said, adding that areas like Pecky Bailey are among those being actively monitored.

Sabah Rural Development Ministry deputy permanent secretary Patricia Vain said NaTSIS is already being used in development planning to avoid high-risk areas.

“NaTSIS gives us the data we need to identify areas exposed to geohazards. The government uses this to avoid building in known red zones. This helps reduce the risk from the start,” she said.

She added that when a development site is proposed, the ministry consults JMG to determine if the location carries any geological hazards.

Sabah Civil Defence Force (APM) deputy director Lt Kol Erwin @ Elverowen Kinsui said the geospatial systems are now being used in simulations and response planning.

“Geological data is extremely valuable for disaster management in Sabah and across Malaysia.

“We use this data, especially through NaTSIS, to support early planning and public awareness, particularly for communities ­living in high-risk or hotspot areas,” he said.

APM is working on a disaster command centre and plans to integrate NaTSIS for real-time monitoring and better coordination, he added.

Sabah has recorded several landslide incidents this year, mostly triggered by continuous heavy rain.

KUALA LUMPUR – Cadangan projek melombong emas di kompleks hutan Gua Musang, Kelantan akan mengancam habitat Harimau Malaya.

Ahli Parlimen Bukit Bendera Syerleena Abdul Rashid dalam kenyataan berkata, projek seluas kira-kira 145 padang bola sepak itu boleh menyebabkan Harimau Malaya yang tinggal sekitar 150 ekor di habitat liar, diancam kepupusan.

“Adakah kita bersedia mengorbankan khazanah semula jadi dan identiti yang dilambangkan oleh Harimau Malaya demi keuntungan ekonomi jangka pendek?

“Aktiviti perlombongan yang dicadangkan bukan sahaja mengancam kelangsungan spesies ikonik ini tetapi juga membawa risiko besar terhadap ekosistem sensitif yang menyokong pelbagai bentuk kehidupan,” katanya.

Syerleena memetik contoh lombong Grasberg di Papua, Indonesia, dengan berkata kesan terhadap alam sekitar adalah ‘peringatan jelas tentang kesan jangka panjang akibat mengutamakan eksploitasi industri berbanding pemeliharaan alam sekitar’.

Beliau menggesa kerajaan meneroka alternatif yang mampan dan melaksanakan perlindungan alam sekitar yang ketat untuk memastikan pembangunan ekonomi tidak mengorbankan khazanah alam semula jadi Malaysia.

Terdahulu, sebuah portal media memetik laporan penilaian kesan alam sekitar projek itu, yang mengatakan beberapa hidupan liar terancam telah dikesan di tapak cadangan.

Menurut laporan itu, perangkap kamera dipasang selama dua bulan di lima lokasi dan tinjauan di tapak cadangan perlombongan seluas 74.56 hektar mengesan kehadiran harimau Malaya, kambing gurun, rusa sambar, siamang, dan tapir Malaya.

“Kehadiran babi hutan dan rusa di tapak projek yang dicadangkan juga menjadi kebimbangan memandangkan kepentingan kawasan ini dalam pemuliharaan hidupan liar, kerana kedua-dua spesies ini sumber makanan utama bagi pemangsa besar seperti harimau,” menurut laporan itu.

Lombong yang dicadangkan itu akan dikendalikan oleh SAH Global Sdn Bhd, manakala kontraktor perlombongan ialah Syabas Deras Sdn Bhd.

Lesen perlombongan pula dipegang oleh Gugusan Timur Sdn Bhd.

Lesen perlombongan pertama kali diluluskan oleh Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Kelantan pada 29 Mac 2019 tetapi ia tamat tempoh pada 25 Mac 2024 dan permohonan pembaharuan kini sedang dalam proses penilaian.

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) has launched an investigation into a reported quarry explosion in Bandar Baru, which allegedly caused damage to nearby houses.

Its director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab (pic) said the department conducted an on-site investigation at the quarry and affected residences on Friday after receiving information and media inquiries.

“I was referring to a news article last Friday about claims that a powerful explosion occurred at a quarry in Bandar Baru, last Wednesday, resulting in damage to nearby houses.

“Initial investigations found that no formal complaint had been lodged with the DOE regarding the incident.

“Checks with the state Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) also confirmed that no reports had been filed with the agency,” she said in a statement yesterday, reported Bernama.

She added that a police check found that the complainants had filed a report the following day, citing damage to their homes allegedly caused by the quarry explosion.

“The DOE’s review of the quarry explosion records, including peak sound pressure levels and peak vector sum parameters, confirmed that noise and vibration levels were within the prescribed limits.