KOTA KINABALU: The decision by Sabah’s Cabinet to build the Pan Borneo highway through the wildlife-rich Tawai Forest Reserve is a blow to the state’s efforts to be seen as a global leader in conservation, says a conservation group.
The Humans Habitats Highways (3H) Coalition, which had been urging the government to avoid a road through Tawai forest since 2019, said the decision is “disappointing” and should be reconsidered.
The coalition is ready to meet with Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya to highlight its concerns and recommendations.
“We would also appreciate if the mitigation plan that has been taken into account to address the effects on the environment and wildlife on the route which goes through the Tawai Forest Reserve can be shared with the coalition to encourage open comment and discussion,” the 3H coalition said in a statement yesterday.
The conservation group comprises the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Borneo Futures, Danau Girang Field Centre, Forever Sabah, Jaringan Orang Asal Se-Malaysia, Land Empowerment Animals People, 1StopBorneo Wildlife, PACOS Trust, Save Rivers Network, Sabah Birdwatchers Association, Seratu Aatai and WWF-Malaysia.
They were responding to Shahelmey’s announcement on the Nov 10 state Cabinet decision to maintain the 20.5km Pan Borneo road alignment through the first-class Tawai Forest Reserve in Telupid instead of considering alternative routes proposed by the coalition.
Shahelmey, who is also state Works Minister, had said maintaining the plan to go through the reserve would not encroach into villages throughout the route.
He also said the design of the selected route has been completed and is ready to be implemented at any time.
“If a new route was selected, the time taken to redesign the plan will cause a delay in the package implementation and subsequently the whole of the Pan Borneo Highway project,” said Shahelmey.
The 3H coalition, however, said it has been working since 2019 to advise the government on how to minimise the negative impact and maximise the benefits of the Pan Borneo Highway for Sabah’s people, nature and economy.
“The Coalition 3H is not opposed to economic development and the construction of the highway but it is deeply concerned that certain stretches, especially the 20.5km stretch from Sungai Baoto to Telupid, will have unbearable negative impact on the environment in the region and on the wildlife in the Tawai Forest Reserve,” the group said.
