Tawau: Tawau SAPP MP Shim Paw Fatt expressed confidence that the State Government will handle the issue of open space in the Sabindo area in favour of the people in general.The local Tawau residents did not wish to see the five areas developed for commercial purposes, he said, Tuesday.
Ten per cent of the five land areas in question should be gazetted as an open space to be used as parking lots and a recreational park for the Sabindo area, he added.
On another note, he said that three letters on related matters had been submitted to Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, since Aug. 23.
The first was to inform him that a private company had taken up an advertisement in a local Chinese daily, offering lots of four-storey shophouses for sale, located on government land.
This inevitably drew strong protests by the public, particularly the Chinese, Indian and Bumiputera chambers of commerce, as well as the Tawau Journalists Association.
It was also learnt that the project was a joint venture between the Tawau Municipal Council and a private company, he said.
Shim pointed out that there are sufficient commercial buildings and shops in the Sabindo area with limited parking spaces. "Using the open spaces for commercial development would further aggravate the existing traffic congestion in the area."
The second letter, sent on Sept 7, was to inform that the developer had commenced clearing works and, at the same time, issued a statement that the Council would be allocated 10 shop units worth RM10 million.
The Council would also receive yearly assessment fees totalling RM300,000.
The third letter, sent on Sept 12, stated that it was his responsibility to collect a signed petition by those who are against the project to bring to the Government's attention.
There was no necessity for the Tawau Municipal Council to own such asset at the expense of the people, Shim said.
