Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sand monopoly, the cronies are at it again

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee (Kota Kinabalu, Dec 16, 2011)

The cronies are at it again. After failing to monopolise the scrap metal business three years ago, cronies have again reared their ugly heads to grab the extraction and supply of sand to the construction industry. 

Using the same lame excuse of lax enforcement against "thefts of scrap metal", the political masters have now come up with thefts of sand as the excuse to put all the rights to sand extraction in the hands of Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO). 

This is a repeat of the failed attempt in 2008 to let Superpanel Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary company of the Sabah Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB), monopolise the scrap metal business. 

At the time, the scrap metal business was lucrative. The same excuse about metal thefts and protecting the government's interests was used for monopolising the business. But eventually, the idea was dropped due to the fall in scrap metal prices. The decision on the monopoly had nothing to do with the government's interests. It had all to do with greed and abuse of power.

This sand monopoly could hold the construction industry to ransom, impose arbitrary prices and payment terms, including hidden costs. Like the import of vehicles using APs (Approved Permits), quotas could be allocated to sub-cronies to buy and sell sand, thereby driving costs.

How can SEDCO enforce against sand thefts? It has zero enforcement personnel and no statutory power to seize machineries, investigate, arrest or prosecute. So, people are entitled to draw their own conclusions. Is it a coincidence that the Chairman of SEDCO, the assemblyman for Membakut, is a family member of the Chief Minister?

Monopolies fuel inefficiency, stifle economic growth, add to hidden costs and kills private sector initiative. All economists know this. This is why many countries have anti-monopoly laws. If the Sabah government were to go ahead with the sand monopoly, then sand operators and consumers can complain to the anti-monopoly Malaysia Competition Commission under Section 15 of the Competition Act 2010 that takes effect on January 1, 2012. 

Our anti-monopoly laws seek to protect consumers, businesses and the economy. Under Section 4(2)(b), it is an offence to monopolise the market as well as the SOURCES OF SUPPLY, which in this case is sand supply. It is understood that the Competition Commission will investigate the MAS-Air Asia share swap deal that has created a super monopoly of the aviation industry, leading to reduced flights, reduced destinations, higher fares and cancellation of Tiger Air flights to Sabah. 

Bad policies will affect the economic wellbeing of the whole state. After casting clouds over the heads of birds nest farmers and the failed implementation of the Money Lenders Act, the government now wants to impose a sand monopoly. This is another slap in the face for the business community which is already struggling against rising fuel prices, reduced banking credit and uncertainties over the global currency crisis. 

The only sector sustaining the Sabah economy is oil palm, but which is now increasingly affected by foreign workers issues and worsening roads. 

By Datuk Yong Teck Lee is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President

30 comments:

  1. but other operators can be Sedco agents, if just given to Sedco can reduce theft sand, I think, must be done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Perhaps you can suggest how to have a fair system.?? Nothing is fair in life I guess!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It had all to do with greed and abuse of power. - ini sememangnya terjadi jika berlakunya monopoli, harap ada cara untuk mengatasinya

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bad policies will affect the economic wellbeing of the whole state. - betul..

    ReplyDelete
  5. isu memonopolikan pengeluaran dan bekalan pasir oleh sesebuah syarikat / koperasi hanya membawa keburukan daripada kebaikan

    ReplyDelete
  6. ini akan menyebabkan rasuah akan berleluasa

    ReplyDelete
  7. dan sudah tentu harga pasir akan meningkat secara mendadak

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pasti ada pros dan cons dalam hal ini. Cuma kalau ia dibuat dengan telus maka pros itu sudah pasti lebih banyak, kalau tak maka sebaliknyalah yang akan berlaku.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Harap hal ini dilaksanakan setelah dipertimbangkan sewajarnya dan bukan ikut sedap rasa saja.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Apapun, sand dredging memang patut diberi perhatian dan dipantau dengan baik.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tak mustahil harga pasir akan meningkat nanti.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Harap hal ini dapat dipantau kalau tak sudah pasti rasuah makin berleluasa.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bagus jugalah jika monopoli pasir ini diberikan kepada satu syarikat sahaja.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Harap cara ini boleh mengurangkan masalah pencurian pasir di Sabah.

    ReplyDelete
  15. pengorekan pasir secara haram seperti di sepanjang sungai pasti akan dapat diselesaikan jika SEDCO diberi kuasa sepenuhnya untuk memonopoli pasir.

    ReplyDelete
  16. memang benar setiap keputusan yang dibuat pasti ada pro dan kontranya. kerajaan pasti akan mengambil keputusan dan pertimbangan yang sebaiknya berhubung isu monopoli oleh SEDCO ni.

    ReplyDelete
  17. monopoli ada baiknya juga, dgn ini kes kecurian pasir dpat dielakkan kerana kita tau hnya SEDCO sahaja pembekal pasir. apapun hal ini kena dipertimbangkan bagi memastikan semua pihak berpuas hati.

    ReplyDelete
  18. selain itu, harga pasir juga tetap kerana ia tak dipengaruhi oleh syarikt2 lain.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kerajaan mungkin perlu buat pemantau, samada Sedco boleh dapat mengurangkan kes curi pasir ni.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Takkan kerajaan buat keputusan tanpa memikirkan apa yang terbaik untuk negeri ini?

    ReplyDelete
  21. why not look this move as a good proposal to reduce the work load of the slow moving administrative work of the Sabah Land and Survey Department?? and I think this move are also is a good idea in order to solve sand thefts and illegal dredging all over Sabah..

    ReplyDelete
  22. as has been explained that the sole sand extraction rights being given to the Sedco is in no way that they can do what they like, but in fact Sedco must be seen even more accountable, responsible and transparent to the people of Sabah.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't think the sand monopoly given to Sedco will cause problems.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Apa masalah yang akan timbul?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Any more things which are in the monopoly position ? Best to let the government be in a monopoly position then by the private co. what do you think?

    ReplyDelete
  26. For me is good news that SEDCO will monopoly the sand extraction. Easy to manage and monitored by SEDCO.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I don't think there is any hazard of all this thing.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Never politicize this matter.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Luckily to me these things doesn't happen in my country, otherwise we would be doomed already

    ReplyDelete