Sukau bridge decision soon
Published on: Friday, February 24, 2017
The Government will announce very soon its decision on the building of the controversial Sukau bridge in Kinabatangan. "The issue has been deliberated at length recently and I believe there will be a decision made on the issue soon," Masidi said, adding he was not allowed to reveal the details of the discussions. He said this after opening the Proboscis Monkey International Workshop and Conference.
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Also present were Sime Darby Foundation Chief Executive Officer Yatela Zainal Abidin, Sabah Wildlife Department Director Augustine Tuuga and the Danau Girang Field Centre Director Dr Benoit Goossens. The construction of the RM223 million project in two stages is the centre of an ongoing conservation vs progress debate. While conservationists said the bridge will cut off elephant routes, the elected representative for the area (Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman) and his constituents have argued that without it residents endure hardship in terms of travel to nearby towns and medical facilities. Sime Darby, a major donor to Sabah wildlife conservation has already hinted it would halt this funding if the project goes ahead.
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Yatela, meanwhile, said Sime Darby would come up with its own decision on the matter soon to "make it easier for the government to make a decision" She still hoped the government will come up with a good decision on the matter and thus allow the Foundation to continue with their assistance to Sabah in its conservation efforts.
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Sime Darby has spent RM110 million nationwide on conservation with the largest slice of RM84 million going to Sabah. The company was also actively involved in research on the sustainability of local rivers like Kinabatangan and Sumatran rhinos over the last eight years. Meanwhile, the delay in the release of Federal funds meant for the conservation of the Sumatran rhino had to do with it being kept in a trust fund. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this was to ensure the money is safe and spent wisely. "I have instructed the Permanent Secretary to assist in the disbursement of the funds to the department. But I assure the delay was not done on purpose. "The government kept the monies in a trust fund because they want to make sure that every money spent is fully justified." His statement was in response to the call by Sime Darby Foundation Chairman Tun Musa Hitam for the State Government to release the RM11.9 million in federal funding in December last year. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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