KOTA KINABALU : The media statement and the complaint on the Stock Exchange by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd (Aumas Berhad subsidiary) are misleading and contradict the actual facts.
According to sources, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approval Letter dated 14 March 2017 from the Sabah Environmental Protection Department refers to the Concession Owner, Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd and not Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd. as informed by Chong Tzu Khen, CEO of Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd, announced on the Stock Exchange recently.
Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd received mineral concession approval from the Sabah State Government on 06 April 2017 on a land area of 946 hectares.
“On 13 January 2017, Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd leased a small part of its entire concession area of 317.7 hectares to Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd and transferred the right to use the EIA Approval.
“Only within the leased area of 317.7 hectares. It is very clear that the EIA Approval for the Company Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd is only effective within the leased land area.
“This is as stated in the lease agreement between Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd and Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd on January 13, 2017,” said the source.
According to him, the factory built by Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd was identified as being located outside the leased area while Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd issued a notification letter to the Sabah Environmental Protection Department on September 8, 2023.
“That Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd is no longer the operator of the mine and will not be responsible for any non-compliance with Environmental Protection by Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd,” he said.
According to the source, as early as the construction of the factory, the use of the EIA approval was valid because Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd had an interest in the shares of Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd.
“That Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd is no longer the operator of the mine and will not be held responsible for any non-compliance with Environmental Protection by Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd,” he said.
According to sources, as early as the construction of the factory, the use of the EIA approval was legal because Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd had an interest in the Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd certificate.
“However, after the owner of the EIA (Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd) no longer had an interest in the Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd certificate, the Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd factory was illegal.
“This is because, the EIA Approval cannot be used by a third party who does not have any ties with the Legal Owner of the EIA Approval,” he said.
He said that the Department of Minerals and Geosciences Malaysia Sabah Branch, ordered Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd to apply for EIA Approval or obtain consent from Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd for permission to operate on Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd’s land.
“This was via a letter dated 02 August 2024, but Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd failed to do so.
“A case of environmental pollution committed by Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd was detected by the Sabah Environmental Protection Department on 14 September 2023,” he said.
However, it is very difficult to take action because the EIA Approval and the environmental protection compliance undertaking letter were signed by Southsea Gold Sdn Bhd.
“Meanwhile, the environmental pollution was committed by Wullersdorf Resources Sdn Bhd.
“The Security Commission should look into this matter because it is feared that there are elements deceiving stock investors with misleading statements,” he explained.
Sabah News Today understands that this matter has been extended to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, including several agencies that are investigating the misconduct that has been committed.
