Earlier today, Malaysia's Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat reported some happy news. Claiming the damage caused by the Sipadan barge was "very minimum," he argued that the news was blown out of proportion by the foreign media. In fact, Kiat indicated that only 0.1% of the area's 208 hectares (0.8 square miles) of ecosystem was affected by the incident. In other words, 0.208 acres -- or, in his words, "just 3,984 square feet" of reef -- was damaged. Previously, I had estimated the damaged area to be about 2808 square feet.
In a press conference, Kiat reported that the team of divers who had surveyed the damage had reported their findings and that they "were contrary to the report in the internet and by all the so-called concerned people." So-called concerned people? While I understand that Kiat is fighting for his political future, disparaging reporters, environmentalists, divers, concerned citizens, and bloggers the world over is a bizarre tactic. Nevertheless, in his defense, Kiat said that the damage reports in Kuala Lumpur stated that some 2-3 kilometers of corals had been wiped out.
Further, Kiat thanked the foreign media for their concern but begged them to "stop the exaggeration. Be rational. Malaysians and Sabahans especially are as concerned as anybody [else] in the world when it comes to conservation and preservation of the environment." Clearly shifting the blame from himself, According to Kiat, what angered the government was that the contractor was using a large barge as opposed to the small boat that had been approved by authorities. Reading between the lines, then, what angered the government was NOT that the reef had been destroyed.
So, what's the next step? Kiat said all work on the island has been suspended. Moreover, a full report from Borneo's Marine Research Institute is due in two weeks. Finally, the contractor has been instructed to clean the damaged coral. Yikes! I wonder if a building contractor will know how to sweep a reef. In my opinion, if the Malaysian government is truly concerned about protecting its reef, it should hire specialists to clear the debris to minimize and control further damage. Sitting outside looking in, it appears the only damage control the government is doing is media-related...not environmental.
1. Latest from New Straits Time Malaysia: Thumbs up for Chief Minister Musa!
KOTA KINABALU: Will any action be taken against the firm that allowed a large tract of coral to be damaged at Pulau Sipadan?
While State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat has said that no action will be taken, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman appears to indicate otherwise.
Musa said yesterday that it was up to Chong’s ministry to act against Kumpulan Surati Sdn Bhd as it was overseeing the project through the Sabah Parks Department.
"Chong has already said that the contractor was dishonest. So, we leave any action to him," he said.
Chong had told the Press earlier that the firm had apologised and offered to pay for the clean-up operation.
He had also added that the matter had been blown out of proportion and that there was no need to penalise the firm.
Musa said Chong had briefed the State Cabinet which had agreed that the project specifications had to be reviewed. He added: "My statement, the one I made during the Press conference (last Friday), stands. This should not have happened and is very unfortunate," he said.
An angry Musa had last week ordered a probe after taking Sabah Parks to task for allowing a barge into the environmentally-sensitive area.
The barge had scraped off coral at the drop-off point on the island.
Posted at 1:22AM on May 26th 2006 by Lee Tien Poh