I have the opportunity to visit Mabul Resort 2 years ago. I am very impressed with the facilities and the natural beauty of the island, with clear water and plenty of marine life. I remember there were a group of 10 visitors from Germany I met during the trip, said Malaysia’s islands especially Mabul Island, have become preferred destination for their family annual vacation. It is obvious visitors are attracted by its natural beauty and clean environment.
Now we are told that an oceanarium will be built near the Mabul Resort. If it is approved, in such big project, any construction around the island will definitely upset the fragile eco-system and environment of the resort. Tonnes of construction material and the influx of workers to do the construction will cause untold damage to the sea water and with it the marine life.
The Sipadan Island development and subsequent cabinet directive to stop all development should remind the Sabah Authority that any massive development around the Mabul Island will destruct the marine life.
I agreed that Sabah need for tourist spot to sustain its tourism industry but developing an oceanatium around Mabul is definitely not one of them. It does not add value to Mabul Island but to destroy what it gifted. I believe people want to observe not a man make beauty but what nature has endowed us.
I always have my doubt about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and the various mitigating measures undertaken. There is hardly any supervision and enforcement, at best the EIA, is just to satisfy the approving authority. One must not forget the carrying capacity in any eco-tourism projects. An influx of unlimited visitors is sure to kill the marine life.
Sabah has great tourism potential because of the sea and natural eco-tourism sites. More promotion and direct air times will boost tourist arrival. For example, The Danum Valley which is located about 70km west of Lahad Datu is hardly known to a lot of Malaysian. I visited it when I went to the Scientific Research Centre many years ago. It is a vast reserve of tropical lowland forest rich in tropical flora and fauna. It has been recognized as one if the world’s most complex eco-systems and I rate it one of the best eco-tourism site in Malaysia.
Now we are told that an oceanarium will be built near the Mabul Resort. If it is approved, in such big project, any construction around the island will definitely upset the fragile eco-system and environment of the resort. Tonnes of construction material and the influx of workers to do the construction will cause untold damage to the sea water and with it the marine life.
The Sipadan Island development and subsequent cabinet directive to stop all development should remind the Sabah Authority that any massive development around the Mabul Island will destruct the marine life.
I agreed that Sabah need for tourist spot to sustain its tourism industry but developing an oceanatium around Mabul is definitely not one of them. It does not add value to Mabul Island but to destroy what it gifted. I believe people want to observe not a man make beauty but what nature has endowed us.
I always have my doubt about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and the various mitigating measures undertaken. There is hardly any supervision and enforcement, at best the EIA, is just to satisfy the approving authority. One must not forget the carrying capacity in any eco-tourism projects. An influx of unlimited visitors is sure to kill the marine life.
Sabah has great tourism potential because of the sea and natural eco-tourism sites. More promotion and direct air times will boost tourist arrival. For example, The Danum Valley which is located about 70km west of Lahad Datu is hardly known to a lot of Malaysian. I visited it when I went to the Scientific Research Centre many years ago. It is a vast reserve of tropical lowland forest rich in tropical flora and fauna. It has been recognized as one if the world’s most complex eco-systems and I rate it one of the best eco-tourism site in Malaysia.
10 comments:
I do agreed on your points, but the question now, what we should do to stop all these developments?
Dr Chua, If you were the minister, i think you will agree to development mabul Island because of $$$$$$$$$
Dr.Chua9 yang dihormati
Selamatkan Pulau Mabul sahaja tak cukup!!! Segala gala nya mesti dilakukan untuk memeliharakan alam sekitar dan sumber rimba negara kita.Baru baru ini ada Ahli ahli Parlimen dari Sabah yang katakan Kementerian sanis dan alam sekitar yang diketuai oleh orang sabah ini tidak penting ,ini tidak betul. Kementerian sanis dan alam sekitar
adalah satu kementerian yang tersangat penting. Kita patut bersyukur dan rasa gembira kerana
negara kita terkurniar dengan alam sekitar yang indah dan kaya dengan sumber rimbal.Faktor faktor ini memang adalah faktor yang positif
yang membolehkan untuk memperkembangkan industri eco tourism dan biotechnology di negara kita.
Baru baru ini ada saya terbaca berita tentang kegiatan penyeludupan kulit pohon bakau(bakau bark)oleh penyelup dari Filipina.Syabas saya ucapkan pihak polis marin kerana mereka berjaya untuk menghentikan
kegiatan penyelupan ini. Kita mesti puji pihak polis marin untuk meninggikan moral mereka. Jangan cuma hantam polis sahaja secara negatif, kalau mereka baik kita mesti puji. Kesimpulanya Segala gala nya mesti dilakukan untuk memeliharakan alam sekitar dan sumber rimba negara kita untuk menjamin pembangunan beterusan , untuk kebaikan anak cucu kita,dan yang penting ialah sumbangan negara kita kepada dunia ini.
Drchua9
What is meant by EIA ?Please explain to us.
I have been to Sabah a few times but never Mabul 'cos very expensive. But one thing I notice was the greed of certain people was so great that they would find ways to make money and destroy the beauty of Sabah.
Equally puzzling is why the Sabah govt seems to support the destruction of Sabah's beauty.
The greedy sabah gov't never understands that sustain development will perpetuate tourism.
All they care is about their pockets.
They have to understand that tourist who come here does not like to see concrete jungles.They want to see natural things and clean environment.
Two hour flight from Sydney on a Dash 8 propeller plane and you can see and stay on this Robinson Crusoe like island call Lord Howe Island.
Visitors to this island are restricted to 400 at a time and a lucky 20 will be allowed to stay at Capella Lodge, an unexpectedly luxurious yet laid-back hideaway.
We must ensure that our islands are not only natural but all unnecessary developments must be carefully consider and must also have minimum environmental impact.They are not only for tourist,but must be left for our younger generations.
Good day Dr Chua,
Malaysia is a blessed country with many natural resources and I hope that it will be maintain as it is for a long long time.
I like travelling and have make traveling overseas once a year my goal. All the time when I choose my next destination, man-made tourist attraction had come accross my mind as one of the places to visit when I am in the country. As a traveller, I had always like to visit natural places with proper maintenance. To list a few, I have been to Tanah Lot, Bedugul and Kintamani in Bali. I had also been to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I had also been to Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Compare to man-made ocean park, the natural beauty of Kintamani and Angkor Wat attract me more.
Therefore, I really hope that the oceanarium will not be built near Mabul Resort. If they really want to build this place to attract more tourist then it should be build somewhere near the town where the contrucstion process will not upset the eco-system.
Lastly, I would like to have some comment on OTK. I had not seen him do much for us after his election, what I had seen is his cutting ribbon photos in the newspaper. Don know why he like to appear in the newspaper so much, he is not that photogenic anyway.
Best regards,
YinTaoShu
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
EIA What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
EIA is a study to identify, predict, evaluate and communicate information about the impacts on the environment of a proposed project and to detail out the mitigating measures prior to project approval and implementation.
Why Do We Need EIA?
EIA is essentially a planning mechanism for preventing environmental problems due to an action. It ensures that the potential problems are foreseen and addressed at an early stage in the project planning and design. Thus this will avoid costly mistakes in project implementation, either because of the environmental damages that are likely to arise during project implementation, or because of modifications that may be required subsequently in order to make the action environmentally acceptable.
EIA when integrated into the existing planning and decision-making structure, provides additional information towards a better decision-making.
What to Consider Prior to EIA Study?
Project Concept
Project proponent must make sure that the concept of the proposed project does not contradict any development plans, policies or any decisions of the Government of Malaysia prior to the EIA Study, namely (but not limited to the following):-
(i) National Physical Plan.
(ii) Structure Plan.
(iii) Local Plan.
(iv) Regional Plan (inter-state planning).
(v) Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd. on the disposal of scheduled wastes in Malaysia.
(vi) Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and Pantai Medivest Sdn. Bhd., Faber Mediserve Sdn. Bhd. and Radicare Sdn. Bhd. on the disposal of clinical wastes from Government Hospitals.
(vii) Guidelines on Highland Development (Garispanduan Pembangunan Di Kawasan Tanah Tinggi).
(viii) Guidelines on Siting and Zoning of Industries.
Good day Chua9
Thank you for your explaination on EIA(Environmental Impact Assessment ),you perform your duties very well ,do really pay attention to the rakyat , reaaly communicate to educate them
Once again thank you and good luck
To the leaders of MCA arguing,
Without defeat, there will be no victory.
In our eyes of defeat, let us look for victory now. Lets us not look for defeat within another defeat.
In Chinese we have a saying, “Knowing the hill have tiger, we purposely still walk towards the hill”.
I won’t know what will happen if the arguing stops.
However I do know what will happen if it continues.
We will disappear and become a dormant party in the next election.
MCA will disappear in Malaysia.
What good do we have when we are not united?
Do our egos and face feel better?
By then we will have nothing to fight for! Just an empty shell.
The face of MCA has been tarnished.
We should be mending the cracks and not further drill a bigger hole.
Without the spirit and strength of unity, MCA will no longer be valid.
Chinese community will be saddened by the glorious past of MCA. The way I see it no more future here in MCA.
No point arguing, what’s the point and use?
There will be no more MCA anyways.
I just joined again, thinking there will new birth of hope and era, now I feel like leaving as it seems that no one cares for MCA as a whole.
You all are only wanting parts of it.
I am not a mediator only a sad and bothered MCA member.
johnathan kong huat tan.
8.30pm 26/11/08
Post a Comment