CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday reiterated that the Tanjung Aru Eco Development is meant to restore Prince Philip Park and Tanjung Aru Beach to their ‘days of glory’ so that these recreational areas continue to be enjoyed by everyone.
“There is no fear that the public will no longer have access to the beach and park as we are developing these areas for the people. Of course they may not be allowed access to these places during the construction stage but when completed, they will be allowed to enjoy the development there,” Musa said.
He said this when replying to Sabah opposition chief Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim who wanted the state government and developer of Tanjung Aru Eco Development to give assurance that the public would still be allowed free access to the area once the project was completed.
The Klias assemblyman said the public was worried that they would lose access to the beach and park when the project was completed and they would have to pay an entrance fee in the future.
“Take for example some places in Langkawi which were public areas in the past but after they were developed, people including the local community there have to pay to enter these places.
“Just like what the Chief Minister mentioned just now, the Tanjung Aru Beach and Prince Philip Park are historical assets for Sabahans so what we want is an assurance from the government that they can have access to the area like they do now,” Lajim said.
Musa in his reply to Lajim also said there would be negative comments about the project like what had happened when the government decided to develop Hone Place in Tanjung Aru but all that changed after Perdana Park was completed.
“It is visited by people from all over Sabah, especially during the weekend and this is what we hope for Prince Philip Park and Tanjung Aru Beach when the projects are completed,” he said.
Meanwhile to Kepayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi’s query about the project, Musa replied: “It is for the people and we are improving it and making it better for the people. Is it wrong to say that it is for the people? Of course not because it is for the rakyat just like Perdana Park.
Bosi had pointed out that as the project was called ‘returning Tanjung Aru to the people’ did it mean that it never belonged to the people in the first place?
Musa also told the House that the RM7.1 billion Tanjung Aru Eco Development project would be on a 280-hectare area and would be an integrated development encompassing tourism, recreational, residential, community and commercial projects so as to meet the needs of both local and international markets.
He also said the state government acted inclusively in its planning and implementation of every development project.
“After it is agreed by the Technical and Steering Committee, the project’s development plan will be exhibited so that Sabahans who are the stakeholders can give their feedback to the project,” he said.