The state government and TAED (Tanjung Aru Eco Development) must remember that Tanjung Aru Beach is still a public space and can be accessed and enjoyed anytime without approval.
The state government must ensure all the recreational facilities and safety infrastructure are in place.
While Tanjung Aru Beach was under TAED management, it is still a government own company and shouldn't run like a private company by setting up its own rules.
The government must think twice before allocating massive projects and prime real estate in Sabah to an entity and company with no financial stability to manage and maintain the beach.
TAED said they need money to manage the Tanjung Aru beach. With that, they shall return it to DBKK and use public funding to make it better.
TAED has shown without financial stability when its source income is only the parking and hawker fees.
This project will become the big white elephant eyesore of the city for decades due to delays and lack of funds.
Such an ambitious project is a waste when many places with similar projects face problems and delays due to the post-pandemic impact.
People should ask themselves whether TAED can benefit the local people or is just built for the rich and famous.
Instead, the state government should consider expanding the historical Tanjung Aru township to replace the TAED project.
The new extended development will follow the strict eco-friendly concept of low-density planning to preserve the nature of the beach and save it from reclamation destruction.
Tourists from around the world come to Sabah not to see mega development and branded shopping complexes but to experience the local environment, culture and people of Sabah.
Local people should have more access to selling their products and not to international brands or franchises.
There is still time to repeal the previous TAED Master Plan because the land within the general work of the TAED plan has yet started.
The public can call and talk to their city hall, state representative and state minister to make this happen.
Such planning will save billion of taxpayer money which can be used to fix the water, power and road infrastructure around the state and KK city.