Groups want Sipadan project to be scrapped

KOTA KINABALU: Environmental groups are all for scrapping the RM4.5mil clubhouse project on Pulau Sipadan.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) and the Consumers Association of Sabah (CASH) said the state government should accept Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s criticisms of the project.

“We are thankful for the Prime Minister’s attention on Sipadan. It shows his concern about the environment in the country,” Sepa chairperson Datuk Sue Jayasuriya said.

CASH president Datuk Patrick Sindu said there was no need for additional tourist facilities on Sipadan as there were already adequate dive resorts at nearby islands such as Mabul.

“I cannot understand the rationale in getting the dive resort operators out from the island and then making an about-turn and building more tourist facilities there,” he said.

Former state Tourism, Culture and Environment permanent secretary Datuk Wilfred Lingham said he was glad over Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman’s assurance that construction work at Sipadan had not resumed since a May 24 stop-work directive.

“I think the next logical step is to scrap the project,” he said.

Source: The Star