Hajiji …will discuss best way forward including relocation of the Pala’u people.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the issue of the Pala’u community’s demolished structures at the Tun Sakaran Marine Park will be brought up at the forthcoming State Security Committee meeting.
“We are very concerned about this matter. It is not that we don’t sympathise, we do because they are also humans but the areas where they have built the structures are within the Marine Park.
“The security forces have raised their concerns and have advised that these are securitysensitive areas that could be used as transit point for cross-border crimes.
“We will discuss best way forward including relocation of the Pala’u people,” Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the State Security Committee said during his working visit to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens.
Earlier, the Chief Minister was briefed by Minister Datuk Christina Liew and Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Josie Lai that only one house was burnt during the demolition exercise last week and it was not done by the enforcement officers.
On the Sabah My Second Home (SM2H), Hajiji said he would inform the Federal Tourism Ministry that Sabah will proceed with the programme.
“The State Cabinet has approved the programme for implementation, so we will
proceed,” he said.
Hajiji also disclosed that a new State Museum will be built in the state capital following the State Cabinet’s endorsement.
He said State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong has been tasked to chair the committee to find a suitable site and to work out the details.
The current State Museum could only exhibit about 10 per cent of its artefacts while the rest are in storage, he said.
On another note, Hajiji welcomed the Ministry’s plan to build the Kinarut Cultural Centreto showcase Sabah’s more than 30 diverse culture and traditions.
Also present were Deputy Chief Ministers – Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam
and Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, cabinet ministers, assistant ministers, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong and heads of various departments and agencies under the Tourism Ministry.