She questioned whether the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for prescribed activities in the state is still intact and applicable.
Making the call when commenting on the proposed Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020 which has now come under close public scrutiny, she pointed out that the Environment Protection Enactment 2002 (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2005 clearly stipulates that any person who intends to undertake any prescribed activities shall prepare and submit to the Director of the state Environment Protection Department an EIA report.
She said the prescribed activities are as follow:
I. Development of housing, commercial or industrial estates within 200 metres from the high water of the coastal area;
II. Reclamation of land by the sea or along river bank for development of housing, commercial or industrial estates, construction of major road, or other public purpose.
Chia, who is also the Wanita Chief and Vice President for Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), expressed concern that the Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020 has allowed for not only massive reclamation of the beach front at Tanjung Aru Beach but also near the previous Sabah Port Authority premise.
“Looking at the size of the existing central business district stretching from Time Square to Wawasan to Centre Point to Wisma Merdeka to Suria Sabah to Jesselton Point, the new proposed area to be reclaimed and zone commercial is almost the same, if not bigger, than the existing central business district,” she said.
“Hence, it is paramount that an Environmental Impact Assessment should have been done and approved before such an extensive area is proposed in a government plan. Unfortunately, we have not heard or seen any such EIA report yet,” she added.
She reiterated that the State Government must not make a mockery of its own legislation by conveniently ignoring them when it involves government projects.
“Likewise, has simultaneous planning of traffic impact, supply of utilities such as electricity and water been carried out? As it is now, Kota Kinabalu City is already plagued with constant power outages,” she said.
She also reminded that when Kota Kinabalu attained its city status back in year 2000, it was envisioned and pledged by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) that it would be transformed into “A NATURE RESORT CITY”, in tandem with its status as the gateway to Sabah which, the State Government has been vigorously and is still promoting as a premier eco-tourism destination in the region.
“It was reported in the past that Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun had said that many tourist had complimented Kota Kinabalu’s beautiful seafront and he had also urged the State Government to ensure that it stay that way,” she said.
It was reported on July 17, 2012 that Masidi had said the following: “There are not many cities in the world that are blessed with natural beauty like KK and we should ensure that we don`t lose it through wanton and haphazard development should not only consider current needs but also the needs and wellbeing of the future generation and that good livable city must have a `S O U L`.
Chia cautioned that a rush decision to proceed with such development project involving massive sea reclamation without any proper planning and a detailed EIA report, might later turn out to be an `environmental disaster` and a costly affair for both the State Government and the resident of Kota Kinabalu.
She further reminded that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had emphasized during the tabling of the land Ordinance (Amendment) 2012 Bill in the State Legislative Assembly that the protection of Kota Kinabalu Waterfront from further reclamation was necessary for the future generation.
“He had also said that unlike countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong where land was scarce, there was no need for Sabah to aggressively reclaim its coastline,” she recalled.
Meanwhile, the public viewing and objection to the Kota Kinabalu Local Plan ended on June 6.
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