Ongkili : Environmental protection requires political will
Tuesday, 19 November 1996

KOTA KINABALU : Langkon Assemblyman Dr. Maximus Ongkili today called on the State government to exercise political will to address the numerous environmental problems facing the state because legislations alone would not be sufficient to solve them.

Speaking during the debate on the Conservation of Environment Bill 1996 in the legislative assembly, Dr Ongkili said the new enactment would give Sabah the much-needed power in solving conservation-related issues especially in respect of land and forests but such power would be of little use if there were no enforcement and political will to tackle basic problems.

He stressed the need for sufficient and qualified manpower to implement the laws and to ensure that no duplication of functions arise between the Federal Department of Environment and the to be-set-up State Department of Environment to ensure effectiveness of regulations and laws enforced by both departments.

The Conservation of Environment Bill 1996 was tabled by the minister of tourism and environmental development Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Dompok.

The PBS deputy president also highlighted several environmental problems which the ministry of tourism and environmental development was yet to act despite numerous complaints made to the ministry by affected people.

He cited the pollution of Sungai Kadamaian in Kota Belud by logging activities upstream in Kampong Podos and illegal logging in the Ulu Bengkoka area of Tandek which has caused pollution and silting of rivers and water supply in the area.

"Even in the Moyog constituency, the pollution problem in Kampong Sarapung caused by an illegal factory producing premix for road construction is still continuing despite numerous complaints by the local people and a warning given by the Penampang land office to the land owner. There seems to be no political will to act on the problem", he alleged.

Dr Ongkili urged the new department of environment to use wisely the laws provided in the enactment and ensure that they are properly enforced.