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Another merciless killing of sea turtles in Sabah BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Another merciless killing of sea turtles in Sabah

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 10:06 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Another merciless killing of sea turtle has been detected, this time in the islands of Semporna after 50 dead sea turtles were found in Pulau Tiga, Kudat.

A Fisheries Department staff in Semporna district was on his way home on Tuesday when he saw four dead sea turtles floating at the sea between Bum-Bum Island and Kulapuan Island. He then took pictures and posted on his Facebook.

James Alin from the School of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said a report had been made by WWF-Malaysia Semporna team and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) was investigating the case.

However, he suspected the competency of Wildlife Department.

"Do we have to wait for the SWD to complete their investigation to come up with the list of usual suspects?

"Top of list is the seaweed farmers. The re-occurrence of conflict between sea turtle ('Bokko' to the islanders) and the seaweed farmers has been recorded since 1990s. The authorities were in denial while conservation groups prefer to spread a romantic view that the islanders do not harm sea turtles. They even come up with a nonsense like the sea gypsies have strong taboo on harming the sea turtles. The Muslim islanders do not eat sea turtle meat so they say, but they love sea turtle eggs," he said in a statement yesterday.

James pointed out that it is not rare for the islanders who commute daily between Bum Bum Island and Semporna town to see sea turtles in the areas adjacent to Tun Mustapha Marine Park. These areas have been the favorite foraging habitat of Green Turtles long before the boom in seaweed farming. Sea turtle is a pest to seaweed farming; they can destroy the entire seaweed farm overnight.

"The truth is this; seaweed farmers are fed up complaining about it and if they can, will definitely take revenge by harming the animal.

The next usual suspect are the artisanal fishermen. Sea turtles are known to forage at the coral reef and sea grasses areas where artisanal fishing is likely to take place. Sea turtle caught in any type of fishing net will drown. When that happens, fishermen usually will dispose of the carcass, cut the net, tie the turtle and drag it away from their fishing ground. Who is there to find out when most fishing activities are done at midnight until early morning?" he said.

James added the third usual suspect are the fishing vessels which are taking advantage of richness of our sea and non-existent of enforcement by SWD.

"Some fishing vessels are poaching endangered, charismatic and migratory marine species like sea turtle, Dugong, Dolphin or whale shark. The crews of these vessels with the Flag of Convenience are Vietnamese or Chinese or Indonesian. They are given license to do deep sea fishing or long line (by the Federal Fisheries Department). If they are caught encroaching into coastal areas or in possession of protected species, they too will dispose of the evidence by throwing it to the sea. The local owners of this joint venture will declare that they did not authorize the illegal activities," he said.

"What is the probability of SWD solving this case? Zero! If we look at how they handled the case of 50 dead sea turtles in Pulau Tiga, Kudat. A week after my report appeared on social media and online news portal, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment made a press statement denying my earlier report.

"He said the enforcement agencies did not receive any reports from local people about the dead turtles.

"Later on the permanent secretary for the minister invited me to a special meeting attended by the enforcement agencies. During the meeting, the Maritime Agency admitted they knew about the sea turtle killing field in Pulau Tiga a few months before my field visit. The maritime officer showed us photos and announced their investigation was not conclusive (no one got arrested)," he added.

James claimed the SWD official was not only late coming to the meeting but also angry with him for not consulting his department before writing to the media.

"Furthermore, he said that his department is far way from Kudat and his office does not have speedboat to go the island. So much for his lame excuse, the next day SWD and Sabah Parks sent an investigative team to Pulau Tiga."

He also revealed one more reason why SWD will never solve the case of dead turtles in Semporna.

"At the beginning of that meeting I have shown slides of sea turtle kept alive inside a pen (fish cage) in Balambangan island, I asked if any of the enforcement agencies interested to arrest the owner. None of them seem to be interested!" claimed James.

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‘Penampang people not happy with Kaiduan Dam’

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 10:01 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The people of Penampang are not happy with the plans to construct the Kaiduan Dam, said Moyog assemblyman Terence Siambun yesterday.

He said the people of the district had petitioned to protect the forests and places that would be destroyed if the dam materialised.

He also said the district had already made major sacrifices to the state.

"The Babagon Dam and the Kodundungan sewerage treatment plant established on paddy fields in Penampang. "We in Penampang have already made many sacrifices. Aren't there other ways to procure water supply? Adopting the desalination process for instance or by establishing a water reservoir," he said.

He added that Penampang would continue to fight against the construction of the dam. At the same time, he also raised the issue of Pakistani retailers setting up shops in Penampang and throughout Sabah.

He questioned how the foreigners managed to acquire business licences to continue running their operations.

He also warned that Pakistani retailers were monopolising the retail sector in Sabah. With regard to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), Terence said the organisation had not managed to strike fear in the hearts of kidnappers and intruders.

He added that those who were experienced in security and defence should be the ones leading the operation at ESSCom.

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Background of person appointed as Esscom DG irrelevant — Yusof

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 10:00 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal objected to Klias assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin's proposal to replace the present Esscom director-general with a uniformed personnel with at least a two-star rank.

Yusof said having a uniformed personnel assuming the post would not guarantee the effective implementation of duties as a director general.

"What is necessary for the efficiency of the director general is a more structured and clear administrative structure. The government needs to study the structure of Esscom presently and to explain the jurisdiction given to the director general as well as equip the body with the necessary assets to effectively carry out its operation," he said at the state assembly yesterday.

Yusof said the background of the person appointed as the director general of Esscom was irrelevant.

"What the Yang Berhormat from Klias has forgotten or deliberately forgotten is that the ministers responsible for the Home Ministry and Defence Ministry are civilians," he said.

He added that the members of Esscom comprised of agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Army and Maritime in addressing security issues within Esszone.

"However, this does not encompass the power involving district police stations, marine and army bases within Esszone," he said.

"Directives are still being made by the district police chief with the blessing from the State Police Commissioner and brigade commander. It is here that the confusion and contradiction in the overall operation of Esscom could be seen," he said.

Yusof also welcomed the state government's recent announcement to make it compulsory for every worker at resorts to be registered and screened by Esscom and the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.

He also proposed that the enforcement involving the issuance of licences and permits for the operation of resorts and tourism activities must be strengthened and monitored continuously.

"I believe that if all the resorts scattered around Esszone cared and adhered with the government conditions and regulations, the kidnapping incident might have been avoided," he said.

Yusof then cited that 25 illegal workers were nabbed at the Singgahmata Resort where the recent kidnapping took place.

Six more illegal workers were nabbed working for three resorts surrounding the Sulu sea.

"This is proof that the resort operators have deliberately ignored the safety factors and opted for the quest of profit alone. They continue to employ illegal immigrants even though they have been warned by Esscom," he said.

Yusof also said educational institutes focusing on the security sector should be established in Lahad Datu.

According to him, the institutes that can be considered for establishment in Lahad Datu are Police Academy, Military College, Pulapol, Pulada, Marine Academy, Oceanography College and Nursing College.

The district also welcomes Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Sabah Foundation University College, universities and religious training centres, he said.

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