Question NGO's motive in continuously harping on it: Pitas leaders back shrimp project
Published on: Monday, January 26, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Grassroots leaders representing about 2,500 people from five villages in Pitas are puzzled by the action of an environmental NGO in continuously harping on the Shrimp Park project at Kampung Telaga in the district.Acting as spokesperson, Kampung Telaga Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Chairman Norsal Esal said the action of the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa), despite the project having received green light from the relevant authorities, was bewildering."Why does this NGO continue to harp on the issue and object to the project without consulting us the local people? What is their actual agenda?" he asked in a press conference here, Sunday.
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Together with Norsal were his colleagues from Kampung Datong, Maldam Abdul and three village heads, namely Deek Lukasa from Kampung Manggis, Rahim Duyung from Sungai Eloi and Ishak Sadian from Kampung Kuyuh. Also joining the trip to the State Capital with them were two villagers, Enting Sambing from Sungai Eloi and Zulkifli @ Asmat Badau from Kampung Kuyuh.According to them, the largest prawn project in the country had only started its initial phase for about two years and already about 300 mostly youths in Pitas had benefited from it as they now have a steady job and monthly income."These 300 people can now support their families and send their children to school without worrying how to make ends meet," they said.
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"Pitas is the poorest district in Sabah and we are very thankful that our area has been selected for such a mega project. "Please do not misconstrue our intention in voicing this out. We only want our village and people to be able to enjoy the benefit of development that all of us have longed for.
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"But why must 'outsiders' barge into our place and start making statements and demanding for the project to be stopped?" they asked.As outsiders, they said Sepa would not be in the know about the needs of kampung folks."There is a small group of about 10 local people who will continue to oppose the project for reasons known to themselves," they said.Even the claim that the project's site is habitat to the protected proboscis monkey had been debunked when no evidence of the primates were found, he said."However, we totally disagree for this NGO to keep on harping on the matter because the project has been given the approval by the authorities."If the NGO concerned wants the project to be stopped, will they be able to put in an investment that gives the kampung folks similar benefit they are presently enjoying?" they asked.According to them, the Government had promised to the people in Pitas that development would come their way and "therefore, we believe this mega project is a promise fulfilled by the Government.""Water and electricity supplies are also being connected by the company along the road to the project site. The company has been listening to the villagers' grouses and needs raised through us as the Government's eyes and ears. The company has been giving us its cooperation," he said.He also expressed appreciation to Pitas Assemblyman Datuk Bolkiah Ismail for always being there to help whenever needed.Norsal asserted that previously the people in Pitas were so poor that coming down to the State Capital was a luxury, which they could only afford to do once a year."But since the company started the project, the people's socio-economy gradually improves and now they can go to Kota Kinabalu once a month as they can afford to buy a Kancil," he said.Therefore, the community leaders from Kampung Telaga and surrounding area hoped NGOs, especially Sepa, would no longer interfere in the project lest its aim is to deprive the poor people from any chance of improving their livelihood.The Pitas Shrimp Park is a government-initiative through State subsidiary company Inno Fisheries Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Sunlight Seafood (Sabah) Sdn Bhd.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, when launching the project, had expressed confidence that it would help to raise the living standard of the locals as it was expected to generate over 3,000 jobs, apart from the economic spin-offs.Involving 1,500 ponds, the total investment for the project was RM1.23 billion with private investment amounting to RM963 million and funding from the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) at RM268.2 million.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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