Published on: Friday, March 03, 2006 |
Kota Kinabalu: State Secretary Datuk K.Y. Mustafa said bio-diversity rejuvenation marked by the re-growth of trees on Pulau Sipadan is a conspicuous effect of the demolition of structures on the island.
He said there is also evidence to show that the number of turtle landings had increased significantly. "Statistics indicate that 502 green turtles and five leatherback turtles landed and nested on the island between April 2005 and February this year.
"In the same period, 45,997 green turtle eggs and 502 leatherback turtle eggs were collected. Of the number, 17,255 green turtle eggs and 202 leatherback turtle eggs had hatched," he told Daily Express.
All resort structures on Pulau Sipadan had been demolished and cleared and overnight stay for tourists is now a thing of the past. Tourists and divers are now allowed to be on the island only during the day.
"Landings are limited to 120 people only per day. There is tight security with 24-hour surveillance by six men from the General Operations Force (PGA), two police personnel and 23 members of the army."
Mustafa's visit to the island was part of his working visit to East Coast districts between Feb. 25 and 27.
The aim was to study the current security situation on Sipadan and nearby islands and their development in terms of management by the Sabah Parks.
He was accompanied by his deputies, Datuk Noni J. Said and Datuk John Maluda and 18 representatives from various ministries, government departments and agencies.
Among them were Armed Forces Staff Officer Major Adnan Ariffin, Director of Federal Special Task Force Mohd Rosli Jambari, Director of Lands and Surveys Datuk Mohamad Jaffry, Director of Insan Saadillah Hj Abdillah, Director of Public Complaints Bureau Sidek Abd Jubar and State Economic Planning Unit Assistant Director Shamsiah Jirat.
Mustafa and the rest of the visiting team were briefed by the Director of Sabah Parks, Datuk Lamri Ali on the island's development in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
ACCORDING to Lamri, Sabah Parks will build the proposed Tourism Facility Centre for the use of tourists as well as the security forces.
"When completed, it can accommodate up to 200 people a day. The facility will use a modern sewerage system whereby the wastes will be eliminated on the mainland," he said. This is in response that there were lack of facilities for use on the island during the day following the ban on overnight stays.
The State Secretary said he would be calling for a meeting to discuss the management of the island and efforts to co-ordinate the entry of tourists and divers.
Mustafa also attended a security briefing on islands off Semporna by the armed forces at the Kapalai Resort.
According to him, security is under control and no sea robberies have been reported of late.
"This can be attributed to the presence of surveillance posts erected on several strategic islands and manned by the armed forces and General Operations Force (PGA) to prevent the infiltration of foreign immigrants from outside."
