By: Augustine Wong Chee Ming, PLA, ASLA

I want to thank the editor at Daily Express (DE) for publishing my counterpoint on 8 December 2019 and especially to the editor at New Sabah Times for publishing my entire article with no edits or revisions on 9 December 2019 including the original title, “TAED, a threat to Sabah’s iconic beach”. DE, on the other hand, elected to conveniently edit my original article in so much as to change the title to, “TAED master plan must be sustainable in the long term”, to selectively omit key pieces of data and evidence for my argument, and to add, and I quote, “it would have been good to know what then should be done rather than leave the beach in its present state. 

A DE check found the beach most frequented by foreigners than locals – immigrants or perhaps project holders and foreign tourists.” To arrive at this observation, DE must have conducted a windshield survey on a weekday rather than actively interact with the beachgoers. Regardless, it’s clear DE wants to satisfy its own agenda rather than provide a platform for open and fair communication.

While I am grateful that DE published certain parts of my original article, it is disheartening and disappointing that edits and omissions were made that do not truly represent the essence of the article which is, TAED is a threat to Sabah’s iconic beach. No sugar coating needed nor being politically correct here, people. Let’s not kid ourselves, there is nothing sustainable about the current TAED master plan. 

Nothing sustainable when a natural iconic beach is planned to be reclaimed for up to 1 km into the South China Sea forever changing the beachfront characteristics and its milieu. No matter how you spin it. If it looks like a kerbau, smells like a kerbau, it is a kerbau. If anything, TAED master plan if implemented would ensure that Sabahans will become “heritage refuge”, something no country would want.  

In my original article, I categorically stated that a new alternative master plan to TAED must be based in organic, holistic design thinking to ensure long term sustainability, and the current master plan does not even come close to the sustainability spectrum. If DE and Datuk Lo’s argument that sustainability is nothing more than putting trees, shrub and other greenery then I suggest they should review the tenets of sustainability in its full context and moral fashion.

Since then, on 14 December 2019, Datuk Lo responded to my counterpoint article, and I am grateful for his continued effort to bring TAED in the public discourse. However, this means TAED master plan needs to go back to the drawing board, especially with the countless opposition from environmental and non-governmental organizations, local leaders, and the general public. TAED should not be shoved down the throats of Sabahans and thrust onto the backs of future generations. 

This project warrants a robust public engagement and satisfaction of the elements of the Malaysian EIA. Otherwise, why have the EIA in the first place. Also, I would not consider providing professional courtesies to a proposed master plan of this magnitude that would forever alter the whole iconic beach and potentially costing billions and billions of ringgit as adequate. This is not adding an addition to your house. The master plan should be vetted, evaluated and tested to ensure that no stone is left unturned. Leaders listen objectively and act on virtuous principle.

I am tempted to respond further to Lo’s latest thesis and rhetoric including his moral compass. However, I will not continue to bicker with him over who has the upper hand, collects the most marbles, or wears the most colourful pants. It is immaterial since the readers know which side of the fence the editor of DE or Datuk Lo is on, certainly not on fair and objective reporting. The facts and figures from my original article speak for itself.

Again, for my unedited and original article, “TAED, a threat to Sabah’s iconic beach”, please refer to New Sabah Times, 9 December 2019 edition. And this goes for you too Datuk Lo.

December 17th 2019.
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Originally from Penampang, Sabah, Augustine Wong Chee Ming, PLA, ASLA is an award-winning landscape architect and urban designer who practices in North Carolina. He has educated college graduates on the moral principle of holistic design thinking of public places.

Links

TAED is a tourism game-changer - http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/3343/taed-is-a-tourism-game-changer/

TAED, a threat to Sabah’s iconic beach: Landscape architect - http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/35369

TAED master plan must be sustainable in the long term - http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/3356/taed-masterplan-must-be-sustainable-in-long-term/

Just get on with the TAED project’s construction! - http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/3376/just-get-on-with-the-taed-project-s-construction-/

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