Kudat: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is free to investigate for any irregularities concerning the controversial development of five open spaces in Sabindo, Tawau.Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor said this should serve as a warning to government officers throughout Sabah to be more careful when planning development projects in their respective districts, particularly in areas which should be left untouched.
He said this in response to the State Cabinet's decision to stop development works at the Sabindo open space with immediate effect. The order was based on a decision by the State Cabinet in compliance with the Government's policy that there must be open spaces in town areas as well as adjacent to housing estates, he said.
He added that Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) had been directed to stop the development works being implemented by two contractors, with immediate effect.
Hajiji noted that the project to be implemented in the area concerned was jointly undertaken by the TMC and a private company under an agreement signed in 1996.
The Minister said this when met after attending the launching ceremony of the State level National Hibiscus Planting Campaign, at the Kudat sports centre, on Thursday.
According to him, the related Government policy stipulates that open spaces should not be developed for commercial purposes, more so in the Sabindo area where parking spaces are lacking.
These open spaces should be safeguarded and maintained for public use, he said, adding the Government was aware of the issue that had become hot in the newspapers, resulting in public contention.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, who represented the Chief Minister at the launching of the campaign, said the State Cabinet had stressed that open spaces gazetted by the Government should not be used for commercial purposes.
He said the State Government, through the State Secretary, would direct the TMC president to take appropriate action to explain why the project was allowed to be implemented.
Any suspicion should be dealt with, including referring the matter to the ACA for appropriate action, he said.
