Sabah gets thumbs up from conservationists after scrapping plans for bridge

KOTA KINABALU — Sabah’s decision to scrap the construction of a bridge in Sukau across the Kinabatangan river has earned kudos from international organisations that supported conservation works in the state.

Abraham Foundation president Nancy Abraham felt encouraged by the strong commitment shown by the state government in protecting habitats, especially in the Kinabatangan landscape that wildlife such as elephants and orang utans called home.

“I want to express gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and other visionary leaders from Sabah for making the courageous decision to cancel the proposed bridge that would have further divided the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

“Know that the entire world applauds your decision and salutes Sabah as a true leader in the conservation of our natural world,” Ms Abraham, who represented the US-based non-profit organisation said in a statement.

The Sabah government’s decision to scrap the RM223 million Sukau bridge project was announced in London by Sabah Forest Department chief conservator Sam Mannan last week.

Mr Mannan said this during his speech at the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) dinner on Thursday (April 20) held at the Royal Society in London.

“In making this decision, Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Aman has taken into consideration all the concerns and opinions expressed related to the bridge, including those from Yayasan Sime Darby, Nestle, scientists and NGO groups and also the opinion of someone who knows the territory better than anybody else – Sir David Attenborough,” Mr Mannan said.

In March, the Guardian newspaper published an article highlighting Sir David Attenborough’s concerns over the proposed bridge that would span 350m across the Kinabatangan River, threatening one of the last sanctuaries of the rare Bornean pygmy elephant.

“If I may say so, that headline broke the camel’s back,” Mr Mannan said.

“It made us understand that the issue of a proposed bridge across a protected area for wildlife is now the number one environmental concern not just in Sabah, but globally too, because of the extremely precarious situation of the rich wildlife therein.”

“The Chief Minister of Sabah has taken everyone’s views into consideration — including Sir Attenborough — before deciding on this very important issue, and I am pleased to say that balanced development has prevailed,” Mr Mannan said, adding that Musa had permitted him to disclose the decision at the gathering.

“We are not going ahead with the bridge,” he said.

Shared Earth Foundation chief executive officer and president Caroline Gabel said efforts should now be focused on creating connectivity for wildlife in the fragmented sanctuary, a move that will also benefit local communities and other stakeholders, including from the agriculture and tourism sectors.

“In the world’s rapidly dwindling space for animals and their habitat, the Sabah government has stood strong against the trends, declaring that along the Kinabatangan river, all species including but not limited to humans, have a right to live and thrive,” said Ms Gabel.

Both representatives were on the Board of Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) organisation, had written to Musa in August last year expressing their concerns that a public bridge would lead to problems rather than help strengthen the integrity of the Lower Kinabatangan.

Woodtiger Fund president and co-founder Susan Wallace said it was a wise decision and one that would lead to long term benefits for both people and wildlife.

“Sabah is very fortunate to possess such magnificent natural beauty. I deeply respect the bold leaders for their commitment to conserve and protect Sabah’s rich biodiversity for future generations and, importantly, for the sake of the wildlife itself,” she said.

“It is a noble, visionary, and enduring deed. Sabah has demonstrated that it is a conservation model for the world,” Ms Susan said. AGENCIES