Masidi backs EPD over shrimp project
Published on: Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Amid environmental concerns over the billion-ringgit Pitas shrimp aquaculture project, the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister on Tuesday came forward to back up his men. Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun was confident the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has done a thorough study before giving the nod for the RM1.23 billion project."I believe Yabi Yangkat (EPD Director) has issued a statement on it.
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"I think he has done according to what he has been assigned to," he told reporters here. Last week Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) that has representation in the project's Environmental Impact Assessment review panel was taken by surprise when EPD approved the project which had initially been rejected. Earlier, EPD claimed that they had the final say for such project and Masidi pointed out that the government decisions sometimes "may not please everyone." On Jan 21, Yabi said he had the final say in approving the EIA as provided for under the State Environment Protection Enactment.
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Sepa's President Lanesh Thanda had said that it was not the association's intention to stop the project but to insist that the livelihood project must go along with environmental care. On another note, the EIA report was approved with the strict provision for wildlife corridor, riparian reserve, mangrove buffer and rehabilitation of certain disturbed mangrove areas.
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"In fact, Sepa or any interested group may at any time submit to the department technical inputs to further strengthen the environmental conditions for the EIA approval. "Any suggestions or input must, however, be supported by technical facts and figures, not merely personal concern or hearsay," said Yabi. Meanwhile, environmental NGOs, including Sepa, have been invited by concerned villagers to look at environment issues at the proposed shrimp park.Wong Tack of Himpunan Hijau and former president of Sepa also made it clear that they have never been against any development but that it must be sustainable.Even though everything had been done (for the shrimp park project to proceed) they hoped it would not be expanded anymore."We will continue to watch and voice out because this is our responsibility," he said in a press conference that was also attended by SM Muthu from Greenfriends Sabah and Harjinder Kaur from Sepa on Tuesday.They also claimed that since there was no assurance the project would be successful, they were worried about the aftermath should the project flop."What about the pollution? Who will pay for it?" they asked.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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