Maximus: No private land will be used for Sabah marine park

KOTA KINABALU: Privately-owned 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 the proposed Tun Mustapha Marine Park would involve the acquisition of some six kilometres of land was a lie.

"If this was true, we would join the people in protesting against such a move," he said. adding that the claims were made by the opposition during the recent general election.

"All this goes to show that the opposition will do anything including hoodwinking the people just to get their vote," he said when launching the Marudu Bay carnival in the northern Kota Marudu town on Sunday.

He said the marine park was part of international and state efforts to conserve and develop resources in an area rich in biodiversity for the wellbeing of the people living there.

These involve protection of the fisheries and banning of destructive fishing methods that would cause depletion of the marine resources.

Ongkili said the conservation and development efforts for the proposed park would instead involve consultation with the people living in the area. 

Source: The Star