Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Keep the iconic Tanjung Aru Beach intact without TAED and massive reclamation



Keep the iconic Tanjung Aru Beach intact without TAED and massive reclamation
Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said in his recent Rotary Lecture that the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED), a 348-hectare integrated beachfront development in Tanjung Aru, was envisioned to be well-positioned to benefit the economy, community and environment.
“To create a sustainable development like no other in the region, TAED needs to be, not only economically viable but also socially and environmentally acceptable.”
By specifically developing TAED with low-impact residential, hotel and commercial properties, he said, the State government would not only be able to raise the necessary funds for construction, but also to finance the maintenance of all public areas within the development, including the new beach and park.
“There is no other development comparable to TAED. TAED is envisioned to be well-positioned to benefit the economy, community and environment. It is with this holistic approach towards improving all three – economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability, that TAED will undoubtedly set a high benchmark for all future developments in Malaysia and the region,” he said.
Despite much objections from the public at the recent town hall hearing of feed back on the Draft TAED planning on 21st March, 2017, we are hearing from the Chief Minister with the latest declaration on TAED with so much emphasis on the economic parameters rather than what the name Tanjung Aru Eco Development  really mean for the paramount importance of ecological consideration.
What would we make it out if 45,000 residents as expected ( for low-impact residences) would occupy TAED once it is completed soon? If one or two cars are owned by 45,000 residents, how would the Tanjung Aru cope with such massive traffic any day? Isn’t that an environmental disaster in the making?
Can we wake up to the fact that Tanjung Aru Beach is what is today due to the neglect by the Government for lack of low maintenance fund and yet now some people are “boasting” of  many billions of Ringgit for development of TAED to derive investment of RM30b and more?
Can we have a detailed feasibility paper and also a White Paper to ensure that the State and the people would not face a disaster in the making in TAED when the asset is worth RM50b, and failure of which is doom for Sabah ?
Joshua Y C Kong 30/3/2017

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