Diver who exposed damage fears reef is gone forever

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Kota Kinabalu: Andrea Ferrari, who alerted the diving world to the damage to Sipadan's corals, is pleased by the effect his blog has had. But he is saddened that the reef may never recover.

Italians Andrea and Anthonella Ferrari, a renowned underwater photography and writing team who have published several books on the area, reported on their blog on a Singapore-based dive magazine's website that a barge carrying tonnes of construction materials was beached on the island two weekends ago.
By last Monday, the steel hull had scraped clean part of the coral reef near the island's drop-off point, dismaying the international diving community and leading to an official enquiry.

What saddens Andrea Ferrari though, is that he believes the reef may never recover.

"The damage is very serious. Small coral take about 30 years to grow back and reefs, much, much longer. That reef is probably lost forever," he said.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said the barge was carrying materials to build a tourist facility.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman denied approving the project and ordered a halt to all construction on the island. He has also ordered an official enquiry.

"We support the State Government's decision to halt all construction on the island. And if anything is to be built in the future, then let it be small, simple structures of environment-friendly materials like wood," Ferrari said.
However, he said, closing the island to divers may not be in the island's best interests.

"Dive operators and avid divers can be Sipadan's best partners in safeguarding its reef.

"We can work with the Government to protect the island's environment," he said.

Under-declaring of goods, too: MP

Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Importing of under-declared goods is also commonplace in Sabah, said Penampang MP Donald P. Mojuntin.

He said in this context such illegal goings-on were not confined to the easy availability of smuggled Sepuluh Tiga beer in the State.

"It's pathetic that it is happening right under the nose of Customs officials," said Donald, adding that "Sepuluh Tiga" beer had been available for years.
The Government loses millions of ringgit in import duty revenue as a result of such smuggling and under-declaring of goods, he said.

According to Donald, under-declaring of goods largely has to do with goods imported from Indonesia, such as polypropylene fabric or bags and furniture from China.

He said this following comments by Sepanggar MP, Eric Majimbun, on Cash President Datuk Patrick Sindu's claims about the Sepuluh Tiga problem.
"I agree with Datuk Patrick Sindu and Eric Majimbun that Sepuluh Tiga beer is widely sold at most of the pubs and karaoke outlets especially in the West Coast," said Donald.

Towards this end, he felt someone in authority may be offering safe passage to such goings-on, arguing that otherwise Sepuluh Tiga beer would not be sold so openly.

Donald said the same goes to smuggled cigarettes which are flooding the market.

He, meanwhile, agreed with State Customs Director Datuk Dr Hassan Arshad that he would not compromise with officers who collaborate with smugglers.
He added that as long as there is black sheep in the Customs Department, smuggling and under-declaring of goods would never be checked.

Donald also reminded Hassan to go down to the ground and find out for himself the truth behind Patrick's allegation.

"We don't mind accompanying Hassan and showing him where the Sepuluh Tiga is being sold openly," Donald added.