Former tourism minister wants masterplan to preserve Sabah eco-system

KUALA LUMPUR: A former tourism minister has proposed that the government formulate a masterplan to preserve the ecosystem at several areas in Sabah.

Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir noted that the areas showed potential for development as tourist destinations.

He said the master plan should include guidelines to control development activities at the areas to safeguard the natural environment.

"We are worried that without the master plan, the areas would end up like Cameron Highlands where development projects are done on an ad-hoc basis and very improperly.

"In fact, the area no longer has the cool breeze like it used to be. Improper development has turned the area into a less beautiful place," he told a press conference at Wisma Bernama here on Monday, Jan 31.

Also present was Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) general manager Datuk Hasnul Hassan.

Abdul Kadir also called on the government to give extra focus on efforts to improve the facilities in existing resorts in Sabah, especially the Kinabalu Park.

"They have the potential to be a leading world-class eco-tourism zone, considering their natural beauty such as the mountains, valleys and the cool climate," he added. — Bernama