MP: Private land will not be acquired for marine park

Private land will not be acquired in the creation of a marine park in northern Sabah, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

The Kota Marudu MP said claims that the proposed Tun Mustapha Marine Park would involve the acquisition of some 6km of private land were untrue.

“If these were true, we would join the people in protesting against such a move,” he said, adding that the claims were fabricated by the Opposition during the recent general election.

Speaking at the launch of the Marudu Bay carnival in the northern Kota Marudu town on Saturday, Dr Maximus said the marine park was part of the state and global efforts to conserve and develop resources in a biodiversity rich area for the wellbeing of people living there.

“This involves the protection of fisheries and the banning of destructive fishing methods that would cause the depletion of marine resources,” he said.

The conservation and development efforts for the proposed park, said Dr Maximus, would involve consultation with residents in the area.

On the annual Marudu Bay Carnival, he said it was one of the efforts to promote the beauty and eco-tourism in the coastal bay and the biodiversity of its mangrove swamps and marine resources.

Marudu Bay covers the districts of Kudat, Pitas and Kota Marudu, and right up to Pulau Banggi.

Its valuable resources have been recognised with Marudu Bay being part of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security, as well as part of the proposed 1.02 million hectare Tun Mustapha marine park in northern Sabah.

The proposed park is also home to endangered marine animals, such as green turtles and dugongs.

Source: The Star Online