KK conservation group blasts Sabah govt over Tanjung Aru reclamation, accuses it of another 'U-turn'
KOTA KINABALU, Jan 4 - A non-governmental organisation fighting for more open spaces in the city has panned the government’s decision to extend the iconic Tanjung Aru beach via reclamation.
Jefferi Chang, a co-coordinator for Save Open Space Kota Kinabalu, said that among the reasons for their criticism was that the state government had previously promised that there would be no reclamation.
"Not long ago in 2021, deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin announced that Tanjung Aru Eco Development would not involve any land reclamation activities," said Chang.
The group said Bung Moktar's statement in January 2021 was positively received by conservation groups.
"While there are still no details regarding the reclamation project from the government, it is obvious that it will follow the approved and gazetted TAED Development Local Plan. In the plan, we are going to see more than 444 acres of sea-land filled and it will radically alter the natural line of the beach and replace it with man-made beach for resort and golf course,” he said.
TAED refers to the controversial Tanjung Aru Eco Development project.
Chang said that the project's word cannot be taken at face value, since the state government has a history of going back on its promises.
"Such promises cannot be taken seriously in view of the old promises made with regard to the promised Sutera Harbour public space and the limit on the waterfront reclamation during the Barisan Nasional government, of which Hajiji was part of the cabinet as a minister.
"These promises were either misleading or else they have been forgotten,” he said.
TAED chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Abdullah was also quoted in August saying that the project would not involve reclamation and would involve more public and open spaces.
Chang urged Hajiji to stop the reclamation deal, repeal TAED's local plans and return the land to the local city hall.
Under the city hall, the entire Tanjung Aru stretch from zero or first to third beach was managed as a single entity, which made it the biggest beach park in Sabah if not Malaysia.
"Incorporating Prince Philip Park, which is midway between first and second beach, can be expanded in such a way as to allow for more health and recreation activities and also to build more public space facilities for social and community events.
"The remaining land beyond the Jalan Airport Lama can be gazetted as an extension for Tg Aru township with environment friendly and sustainable planning. Tanjung Aru township expansion is way better as it benefits locals than the unrealistic, oversized, over-ambitious and over-budgeted TAED plan,” he said.
Chang said that the people of Kota Kinabalu rejected TAED's plan for Tanjung Aru as seen in the recent state and national elections.
"The public needs to show solidarity once more, if they want to keep and protect their beach from predatory big business interests who want to take it away from them and charge exorbitant fees to enjoy for them to enjoy it,” he said.
The proposed Tanjung Aru Eco Development mixed development project had been facing challenges since it was mooted in 2016 by the then Barisan Nasional government. Having been through three governments, there is little form of consent or support from local groups.
Most criticisms were aimed at the lack of transparency, disregard for public interest, conservation concerns and most recently, mismanagement of the popular destination.
An iconic and still widely popular destination for both locals and tourists due to its wide sandy beach, shady trees and stunning sunset panorama, TAED has been criticised for prohibiting access to the beach in certain areas and not managing its upkeep.
Recently, it was reported that TAED has signed a 15-year contract for sand dredging and supply with Handal Energy. Hajiji confirmed that the deal was on, but there was no development plans approved yet.
