KOTA KINABALU – There are many parties involved in the future of the iconic Tg Aru beach park – the state government, a company, environmentalists, residents – but as things stand, it remains run-down and abandoned.
Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman, whose term ends on December 31, said the rejuvenation of the beach, said to be one of the world’s best spots to view sunsets, is the responsibility of Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd, the firm tasked with carrying out the upgrading work.
The project will not proceed until the newly elected Sabah government decides on the matter, he told The Vibes.
“The new government may have a new direction. Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), which is responsible for its upkeep, is only waiting for further instruction.”
A DBKK official told The Vibes that the local government has drawn up plans to spruce up the park via the Tg Aru Eco Development (TAED) project.
But, nothing can be done to the beach until the ongoing war between environmental groups and the state government is resolved, they said.
The new Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor has remained quiet over TAED since the administration was formed in late September.
Sources said the state government could trigger a fresh conflict with green groups if it announces plans for the beach.
Local environmental organisations are opposed to TAED, involving resort hotels and new residential areas.
Many Tg Aru residents, however, are up in arms with these groups for not seeking their views when opposing the mixed-development project.
Development will create jobs and provide a boost to small businesses, said locals.
They said having new hotels will help hundreds of Sabahans secure employment, but added that the beach should remain a public area.
The redevelopment covers some 340ha, doubling the Tg Aru beach park’s size to about 30ha, and is estimated to cost RM7.1 billion.
Part of the area will be transformed into a rainforest, intended to rejuvenate the nearby Prince Philip Park.
The refurbishment of the beach will include a promenade, walking and cycling tracks, and an ecology centre, along with the construction of a 133ha golf course, seven hotels with 1,800 rooms, and 5,000 apartment and condominium units.
The project also includes the reclamation of 3km of beachfront at an additional cost of RM1.83 billion.
Former Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu recently urged the GRS government to restart TAED to provide work to Sabahans.
The state’s hotels are among the few industries that hire mostly locals, he said, and continuing the project will prevent the economy from falling into ruins in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis. – The Vibes, December 13, 2020
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