Appalling Negligence Causes Extensive Damage in Sipadan

This article has been published in The Star and MalaysiaKini dated 22nd May 2006.

I have been diving at the world's famous Pulau Sipadan and its neighbouring islands annually for the past couple of years. The last trip being early last month. I am proud of my beloved country's rich marine treasures. I had the pleasure of researching the coral reefs of Malaysia in my post graduate studies. Many Malaysians, myself included, are not aware of the richness of our marine bio-diversity. We are third on the list of countries with the highest number of coral species. Sipadan has been dubbed as one of the top ten best dive sites in the world. Her immense beauty has lured divers from all over the world. International travellers paying a hefty sum to appreciate what Malaysians sometimes take for granted.

Therefore, the blatant negligence of the people responsible for the strayed barged at Sipadan is truly appalling. I am also shocked to read Clement Lee of Borneo Divers comparing coral damages from natural causes such as El Nino to man made damages such as this. The photograph on the blog of FiNS Magazine Associate Editors, Andrea and Antonella Ferrari who witnessed the incident, clearly showed the extend of the damage - coral reefs scraped clean by the barge's flat steel hull. Restoring coral reefs where there is none left is impossible in our lifetime. Gravel and debris are suffocating what is left at the fringes of the damaged area.

I hope that the relevant authorities would be able to explain to the concerned and angered public regarding the presence of an enormous steel barge carrying thousands of tonnes of coarse gravel, sand, steel tubes, iron mesh and all in the waters of Sipadan. It is clearly obvious that the contents were either from or to a major construction site which should not be possible within the vicinity of Sipadan.I believe that Malaysia has been trying to step up in the world's view on her conservation efforts. Let us prove that we, as Malaysians, are proud of our natural inheritance and we pledge to protect it the best we can.

I urge the relevant authorities to bring justice to these perpetrators. Although the damage has been done but let it not be in vain. A lesson of diligent monitoring and caring can be learnt by the custodians of natural resources and a strong message of warning can be sent to rogue would-be perpetrators.

P/S: Allow me to share the beauty of Sipadan with you.