Just get on with the TAED project’s construction!
Published on: Sunday, December 15, 2019
By: Datuk John Lo
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Wong has claimed to be very well qualified in planning and landscape, having vast experience in USA including lecturing in universities. I am not qualified to comment on TAED’s technical matters. I hope Wong has given his inputs in a public forum, relevant authorities and the developer company some years back before the previous government had approved it. If not, he still could have done it when the new government was contemplating its implementation.
What a pity. If he has not. But if he has, and his inputs have not been accepted by the previous and present governments, I can quite understand his frustrations.
Some prominent architects/planners, like Sim Sie Hong and Datuk Ho Jai Lit, have provided suggestions for the improvement of TAED. They have shown professional courtesies for the TAED consultants. Wong seems fit to condemn TAED’s consultants in a condescending manner, without providing evidence, that they have failed, according to him, to consider some very elementary considerations.
Before doing so, he should have verified their portfolios, check on projects that they have undertaken and compare with those Wong has done. Unless he has evidence to the contrary that they are from the “back street”, he should give credit to the previous government that it has checked and has taken considerable care in appointing them.
Likewise, the present government must have done so.
Differences between consultants in approach, style, etc are natural. Lack of respect/courtesy for fellow professionals is another matter. If he has evidence of wrong doing in their appointments, he can lodge reports with the appropriate authorities.
As a diehard Sabahan and in the interest of Sabah, it is incumbent for him to consider stopping his opposition. He may not like TAED for whatever reason but credit must be given to this project because two duly elected opposing governments have decided to proceed with it. Does Wong think both governments have been wrong? And he is right?
Let’s us support TAED and ensure its success. With due respect to Wong, I think TAED can be a great success story for Sabah. TAED will be a tourism game changer and will bring considerable social/economic benefits if implemented properly.
No mega project can be accepted by everyone. There was opposition for Changi, Narita, Heathrow 5 terminal, etc. In the end, it is the elected representatives who must decide after taking into consideration all the social, economic and environmental factors. This is how democracy works.
I am 100pc in support of Wong for Sabah to look for other economic activities like bio-tech, in-land development Wong, being highly qualifed, knows Sabah’s numerous economic ailments last 50 years.
Sabah can certainly do with more economic activities like those he has mentioned. He, being more than well qualified, can help tremendously by giving detailed suggestions/modus operanti for his ideas. These, if can be implemented successfully, will lessen our dependence on oil/gas and palm oil. Talking is easy, getting ideas accepted is not so easy.
Working out details of implementation to make them impactful are hard reality.
On reclamation, if Wong cannot accept Singapore as a good example, I am sure he, being an international consultant, knows how the Dutch have built up Holland, have built a first-class economy from reclamation from the sea.
The Dutch are enjoying one of the best standards of living in Europe which every Sabahan aspires to have. I am sure the Dutch culture and social fabrics, which oppositionists are worried about, have not been torn apart by reclamation.
By the way, a very large part of KK has been built on reclaimed land. We are none the worse for it and are enjoying the benefits of the initiatives of our forefathers to reclaim. Let us not fall into the trap of USA to keep us economically moribund. They have been trying to indoctrinate us not to cut down trees, they have cleared acres by the millions for their agriculture for them to plant wheat, etc and sell to us, they have reclaimed vast tracts of land, built cities, sink millions and millions of acre for dams but no, no for us to do so.
This is all double standard! Countries like China, Singapore have made great economic progress by having their own minds. Sabah should do likewise.
Wong has correctly mentioned the large number of unemployed/unemployable graduates in Sabah. I like to stress also the lack of business opportunities for Sabahans. Looking at the time line of Wong’s various ideas, implementation, packaging, and marketing them in the international market will take many years.
Rome was not built in one day. Most of the present unfortunate unemployed/unemployable graduates [also remember those in the pipe line] will have retired when Wong’s ideas can be implemented and bear fruits.
Having been involved in the start up of tourism in Sabah, I can say it has taken 30 years to reach where we are today. With due respect to Wong, I hold the view that the Sabah government [previous and present] is correct to implement TAED as it can add tremendous value to Sabah’s present tourism industry. I leave Mr. Wong, who is well-qualified to talk to the authorities on technical points he holds very strongly. I am sure his views, if given in the right context and mannerism, would be welcome.
The oppositionists, including Wong, have not provided a viable alternative to TAED and its economic implications/benefits. I hope Wong will refer to my chart on TAED’s capacity/ impact on employment, investment, tourism receipts, multiplier effects which has been published a few weeks ago.
I hope Wong will notice the Editor’s poignant note at the end of his article – Tanjong Aru beach is not being used by Sabahans. Assuming Tanjong Aru is now an iconic beach for Sabahans is grossly erroneous. Perhaps for immigrants! How many Sabahans will have sufficient courage to bring their families, girl-friends there after dark?
Or, how many parents would allow their young children swim there. I certainly would not recommend anyone taking a dip.
I quote the Editor – “It would have been good to know what then should be done rather than leave the beach in its present state. A Daily Express check found the beach most frequented by foreigners than locals – immigrants or perhaps project, holders and foreign tourists – Ed.” Unquote. I rest my case.
Finally, I think the government has given sufficient time for submission of views from the public. Procrastination will result in economic regression. Time for government to act. I hope the government will remain steadfast in its intention to construct TAED as soon as possible.
Sabah needs new tourism products to stay relevant in the regional tourism industry, be competitive, provide jobs and business opportunities for our people. On its completion, TAED can be iconic, a corner stone of our tourism industry as it is the first purposed designed/built tourism destination of Sabah. Hopefully, more will follow.
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