LAHAD DATU: For nearly four years, residents in a commercial neighbourhood here have put up with dust, noise, and heavy traffic from a scrap iron yard. That ordeal is finally set to end, after the local council gave the operator a one‑week ultimatum to cease operations and relocate to a more appropriate site.
The decision came following a site inspection on Tuesday led by Lahad Datu District Council (MDLD) Enforcement Chairman, Mohd Syahid Gulam, together with council members and community representatives. During the visit, the operator was handed a fresh compound—on top of previous fines—and told that the current premises are simply unsuitable for industrial activity.
“We have given the operator one week to stop operations here, and they have agreed to move by the end of July at the latest,” said Mohd Syahid.
“But we have also been told that their proposed new site may not be ideal either. That is why we are urging the council to carry out a full environmental and zoning assessment before approving any new licence—so that we don’t simply shift the problem elsewhere.”
The operator, after discussions with officials, gave a personal assurance that the relocation would be completed before the July deadline.
For the affected community, the news came as a long‑overdue win. Local representative Lincoln Liaw, who has been raising the issue with the council for several years, welcomed the outcome and thanked the MDLD for finally taking decisive action.
“We are not against business, but this is a commercial zone, not an industrial one,” Liaw said. “The relief for our families is immense. We hope the council stays firm on the new site assessment so that history does not repeat itself.”
With the ultimatum now in place, all eyes are on whether the scrap yard will meet the one‑week shutdown order—and whether its next home will truly pass muster with both the authorities and the community. – James Leong
The scrap iron yard in Lahad Datu given one week to cease operations.
