Federal govt not 'outsider' in Pulau Kukup issue, says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Putrajaya is not an “outsider” as far as the Pulau Kukup issue is concerned, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad explained today.

“Malaysians are not outsiders. The Federal Government is not an outsider. We are responsible for all things in the country,” The Star reported Dr Mahathir saying after officiating the Housing and Local Government Ministry's Local Government Convention in Putrajaya today.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has said earlier that “outsiders should not meddle on matters related to Johor”, referring to the status of Pulau Kukup.

In the same report by the English daily, Dr Mahathir also said earlier today that he hopes the Johor government will accept the Putrajaya's decision on the matter.

“That is the stance of federal government. I hope Johor will accept. Pulau Kukup should not be developed. It should remain as a forest reserve particularly as it is a special mangrove forest.

“We don't want the mangrove forest to be cut down in order to develop the island,” said Dr Mahathir.

The Johor state assembly has app­roved an emergency motion last Thursday, confirming that the national park status of Pulau Kukup should be maintained for environmental preservation.