Sabah govt urged to stop further development at shrimp farming site

KOTA KINABALU: An environmentalist group wants the new state government to stop further development of the remaining 400ha of a mangrove swamp at a controversial shrimp farming site in Sabah’s northern Pitas district.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association president Dr Lanash Thanda said the RM1.23bil entry point investment project initiated by the previous government had affected the livelihood of locals who relied on the swamp.

“What has happened is that some 1,000ha of mangrove swamp has already been destroyed for the farm.

“The villagers have not benefited although the project promised to create 3,000 jobs,” said Lanash during a briefing to the newly appointed state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew.

The shrimp project by Sunlight Inno Seafood Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between state-owned Yayasan Sabah and a private investment firm from Perak, had been hit by controversies since it began operating in 2013.

The company was fined for failing to obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment report for the swamp clearing in 2013 and ordered to stop work until a report was submitted.

The action came after complaints by villagers and environmentalists.

Liew, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the concerns of the villagers and environmentalists would be brought up with the state government to find a solution.

“Environmental concerns must be appreciated and should not be compromised for the sake of development,” she added.