Saturday, July 01, 2006

What Sipadan project was for

Kota Kinabalu: The project carried out on Pulau Sipadan was aimed at providing basic facilities like toilets and a resting place for tourists and divers, following the Government's decision to cease the operations of resorts there effective Dec 31, 2004.

The said project included the construction of quarters for 12 army personnel, seven police personnel and eight Sabah Parks' staff who are on duty there.

Minister of Tourism, Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said this in his reply to a question from Sandakan MP Chong Hon Min in Parliament.

Chong had inquired on the rationale behind the implementation of the RM5 million project on the island, when the Government had in 2004 decided to cease the operations of the resorts there and subsequently ordered them demolished in order to better preserve the island.

Chong also expressed regret over the negligence of the barge carrying construction materials meant for the said project which resulted in damage to some of the corals in the vicinity, last month.

Adnan also confirmed that the said project was implemented by the Internal Security Ministry and not by his Ministry.

Asked about steps taken to conserve the natural setting of eco-tourism sites in and around Sandakan in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2007, he noted that under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Government has allocated a total of RM9 million for the development of tourism facilities that were aimed chiefly to conserve the natural environment of eco-tourism sites, especially those located in and around Sandakan district.

Among the components involved were, construction of Environmental Centres, landscape, walk paths, and the Orang Utan rehabilitation centre in Sepilok, construction of Observatory Towers, nature trails, specimen trails and plants garden. All these works were expected to improve the quality of facilities and amenities catered for tourists who are visiting the various eco-tourism sites in the State during the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and beyond.

Source: Daily Express

No comments: