An Open Letter to Our Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd. Shafie bin Haji Apdal:
Dear Datuk Seri,
First let me say, “Thank you”, for saving Sabah and Malaysia from the crutches of the kleptocrats. It was a great relief for decent, law-abiding Malaysians, Sabahans, when the change took place.
It was the first time many like me, went to the ground to campaign as we knew that our country would have gone bust if there wasn’t a change.
There were many issues and reasons. Let me touch on one, the issue that was close to my and many Sabahans hearts - the Tg. Aru Ego Development. I call it ‘ego development’ simply because it was just to satisfy the ego of certain demi-gods – not at all in the interests of the rakyat.
The Warisan candidate for Tg Aru had campaigned on a platform that the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) project would be scrapped if they came to power (17 Feb. 2017). And even after the elections (The Borneo Post - 25 Jun 2018), YB Datuk Junz Wong had reaffirmed that 85 acres of the area will be retained as recreational reserve.
Good of YB Datuk Junz Wong.
The Tanjung Aru beach area should be upgraded with better facilities and infrastructure, yes. All that is needed is something that has been done at the Taman Teluk Likas. But to kill the original beach and reclaim more than 600 acres of the sea is madness.
Tg. Aru Beach is of heritage (‘warisan’) value to Sabahans. It was and to many it still is the soul of Sabahans especially citizens of Kota Kinabalu.
Everywhere I go, even this Hari Raya, people kept asking me. “What’s going to happen to Tg. Aru beach? What’s the latest news?” Etc. They are concerned. They are worried that their heritage may be buried to serve the interests of a few with insatiable greed.
As such we appeal to you to conserve Tg Aru Beach and ensure any development does not degrade or devalue the heritage value the beach. The rest of the land can actually be retained by the government for public purposes such as rest houses, campsites & youth training centres.
So much of public lands were ‘stolen’ or lost through joint-venture projects. This piece of land is one of the last pieces. It can actually be turned into a large city park and named aptly – Heritage Park or Taman Warisan.
Certain businessmen are eyeing the ‘golden eggs’ but their actions may kill the goose.
Thus, turning it into a large park will result in it becoming a Goose That Lays Golden Eggs for the state through tourism, which can also be enjoyed by the rakyat.
Pray that that the government will not fall prey to the interests of shrewd businessman. The people voted for CHANGE and it must be translated in the system, a new system, a New Malaysia or Malaysia Baru – through a system of transparent and good governance.
Datuk, give us a few minutes to share with you the other possibilities and potential of this area.
We are at your disposal as to the date and time.
We, the under-signed:
SM Muthu – 0128281919 / Jefferi Chang – 0168491997
Coordinators for Save Open Space, Kota Kinabalu
25 Jun 2019
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Sabah green group questions U-turn on controversial Tg Aru beachfront project - https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/06/25/sabah-green-group-questions-u-turn-on-controversial-tg-aru-beachfront-proje/1765464