SABAH - Mystery clearing at scenic bay

New Straits Times, 9 nov 2006

KOTA KINABALU: Controversy has been swirling around Pulau Gaya’s famed Police Bay for more than a month.

According to tour operators and visitors, tractors and excavators have been clearing hills and felling trees on the scenic north side of the island. But nobody seems to know what is going on.

The New Straits Times was told that the land, together with another area on Malohom bay on the north-eastern side of the island, have been privatised and earmarked for development.

Pulau Gaya, the largest of five islands, Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi and Sulug, were gazetted as a Marine Park in 1974.

Under the administration of Sabah Parks, and under the Parks Enactment 2002, no development is allowed on the islands without approval and an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Recently, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said there had been a proposal to develop the island as a tourist destination but he had not yet received a full report.

The state government had said upgrading works would be carried out to improve the standard of living for the island’s inhabitants. No official announcement has been made about the development of resorts on the island.

Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Karim Bujang said he did not know about the construction on the bay, and Sabah Parks declined to comment.

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