SAPP reaffirms stand against proposed Tanjung Aru beach project KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has reiterated its stance on the proposed Tanjung Aru beach reclamation for commercial development involving a footprint of 739 acres of land, which is more than double the size of the Sutera Harbour project. The party urged the government to leave the beach for the general public and ordinary people. The duty and responsibility of the government is to upkeep and maintain the beach, making sure it is safe and accessible to the public. It is not the business of the government to involve in commercial development and seemingly developing the Tanjung Aru for the rich and wealthy, the delegation from SAPP said during their visit to the Environment Protection Department office to view the EIA report on the proposed Tanjung Aru Eco Development yesterday. The Tanjung Aru beach as a Sabah heritage has always been the same for more than 50 years and to argue that it is exposed to erosion is indeed diverting from the real issue. From observation, the local authority had not been doing their part in maintaining the beach for years, they claimed in a statement yesterday. It is the responsibility of the local authority to maintain the park and protect the beach from further pollution by rubbish and improper discharge of sewage. The local authority should constantly beautify and upgrade the facilities around the park and the beach. Obviously the government agencies had failed in their duties. The government had said that under the Tanjung Aru Beach Rejuvenation Project, the government is giving back to the people 68 per cent as public areas while the remaining 32 per cent is earmarked for development. What is the rationale that the people get only 68 per cent as public areas when by right should belong to the people like for the past 50 years? SAPP Kota Kinabalu Zone Youth Chief John Stephen asked. One could not imagine, if Tanjung Aru Beach is shrunk or diminished in the Sabah map just because the best beach in Malaysia has to pave way for a commercial development. Every grown-up in Sabah especially in Kota Kinabalu has fond memories of Tanjung Aru Beach with their families, their friends and later on, with their children. Dont take away that memories from the Sabahans, said John who also grew up and attended school in Tanjung Aru back in the 80s. There are many other alternative places that the government could consider developing into coastal recreational and commercial area such as Pantai Manis, Pantai Melinsung in Papar and Kinarut beach. Spreading the development to other areas means better infrastructure, more downstream activities, creating business and jobs opportunity, propel tourism development and improve the state economy as a whole. A wider spectrum of communities would benefit from the wider and broader development plan, John argued. Instead of squeezing the people out of Tanjung Aru beach, these are many other beautiful beaches which the government could consider to rejuvenate and to upgrade. Sabah would have more holiday destinations to offer thus attract more investment from locals and foreigners. Other than that, it takes less than 30 minutes to reach Pantai Melinsung from Kota Kinabalu town, he said Also in the delegation were SAPP Secretary General cum Tanjung Aru CLC Chairman Datuk Richard Yong, Wanita Chief cum Luyang CLC Chairlady Melanie Chia, Information Chief cum Kepayan CLC Chairman Chong Pit Fah, supreme councillors Carrie Fong Tet Meng and Chia Miu Lee. Pic: The SAPP delegation at the Environment Protection Department office to view the EIA report on the proposed Tanjung Aru Eco Development yesterday. 23/07/2014 The Borneo Post
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:14:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015