SEMPORNA, Malaysia (7 Sep 2006) -- Keeping to his word to personally monitor development at eco-sensitive areas, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday visited Pulau Sipadan. He toured the island which was thrown into the limelight for the wrong reasons when a barge damaged coral reefs the size of one-and-a-half tennis courts four months ago. The barge had gone to deliver building material for the construction of a RM5 million clubhouse, a project which was later called off. After the walkabout, Musa told reporters that a facility costing less than RM1.5 million would be built for the comfort of divers and government officers stationed there. "We are looking at some options that have been given to us by a consultant to construct facilities which include toilets, showers, a rest area for divers and staff quarters," he said. He said once there was sufficient input, views would be sought from the Joint Committee on the Management and Supervision of Pulau Sipadan and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who recently made it clear that he was concerned about conserving the island's environment. "Once this is done, we will appoint a contractor and it should only take four to five months to get facilities built. "We want to solve the problem once and for all. Facilities will be simple and environment-friendly. At the moment, divers don't have a proper place to rest between dives," he said. On construction material off-loaded by the previous contractor before the barge incident, Musa said the new contractor would have to clean up the mess. New Sunday Times had in its Aug 27 issue reported on rusting metal rods under creeper plants, wood, planks and cement that the contractor had sent to the island. Asked about his walkabout and his observation, Musa said there was room for improvement, especially in terms of cleanliness. "The consultant will advise us on how to maintain cleanliness, including what to do with some dilapidated structures. A basic sewage system will also be put in place," he said, adding that discharge would be treated before release. | | Instead of introducing single dive morning and afternoon trips to make use of existing resort facilities, or utilizing dive boats that have integrated toilet facilities, Sipadan's defiant and eco-unfriendly dive tourism industry wants to construct toilets and septic tanks capable of supporting 50,000 to 70,000 dive tourists per year. On the issue of divers entering the island without permits, Musa said Sabah Parks had been directed to take action against dive operators who have been flouting the regulations. Sabah Parks only issues 120 permits a day, but there have been reports that some dive operators were bringing in extra divers who were not issued permits. Sabah Parks collects RM40 for each visitor and remits the money to the National Security Division, which uses the money for security purposes. Sipadan is a protected area under the Protected Places and Protected Areas Act 1959 for security reasons. Since Jan 1 last year, overnight stays are no longer allowed on Sipadan and divers put up at nearby islands and Semporna town. Meanwhile, Sipadan-Mabul Resort managing director Robert Lo said simple facilities would be enough for divers. "They need short breaks to take meals and to use toilets. Some divers bring family members who don't dive but want to visit the island. "They need a place to rest. A simple wooden floor is good enough for them," Lo said. SOURCE - New Straits Times |
