SEPA CALLS FOR PROBE INTO CORAL REEFS DAMAGE IN MABUL ISLAND

File Photo

28 June 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) has demanded the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture conduct a full investigation on the damage of coral reefs at Paradise Two in Mabul Island.

It was learned that the damage was caused by a giant barge of the heavy material building which was believed to be from a government project.

SEPA President Alexander Yee said they have requested for some dive operators to have a better understanding of the ground situation soon after the devastating news reached them.

"We are made to understand that the barge is heading to Mabul Island for the construction of a security post to safeguard the islanders and divers around the vicinity. However, the barge used was too large to land on the island thus caused damages to the coral reefs.

“It is surprising that with strict rules put in place, a contractor, especially one engaged by our government, can enter an environmentally sensitive area such as Mabul Island and caused such damages to the world's famous diver site,” he said.

Referring to the Environment Protection (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2005, Alexander cited that the submission of Proposal of Mitigation Measures (PMM) and EIA are mandatory requirements for shoreline development in Sabah under the First and Second Schedules of the Order.

The prescribed First Schedule, Item 7 states, any other activities which may damage or have an adverse impact on the quality of the environment Para (i) Construction of buildings for public purposes within 200 meters from the high-water mark of the coastal area.

“For any shoreline development, an environmental consultant registered with the Environment Protection Department (EPD) has to first conduct an Environmental Assessment report for submission to, and approval by the EPD Sabah prior to project commencement.

"This is an important technique for ensuring that the likely impacts of the shoreline development activities on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before any development is allowed to commence," he asserted.

Alexander urged that the contractor involved is taken to the task should there be any evidence of recklessness on their part.

He also proposed that the ministry reinstates SEPA's involvement in the EPD as it was one of the EIA review panel members within the department.

"The presence of SEPA often provided the Department with impartial feedbacks from the general public."