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Environment the key loser in new airport for Tioman

I wish to comment on the construction of a new airport in Tioman island.

As far as I know, the 2 km long airport runway will be built on the sea. The environmental impact assessment has shown that the area which the airport is to be built is rich in marine life like coral reef.

The Department of Environment (DOE), after reviewing the EIA report, had objected to such a detrimental project on Tioman, which has been given the status of a marine park. Despite the objection, the project has gone ahead. Dredging, blasting and reclaiming are quietly underway.

Evidently the DOE is powerless against the economical interest of Berjaya Group and the political interest of the second finance minister, Jamaluddin Jarjis. Backing the project is former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had repeatedly told the media the airport project would not adversely affect the environment.

Tioman villagers and the small resort owners are the main victims as a result of the environmental degradation. The Tioman airport project is also seriously lacking transparency. There used to be some controversies in the media but I think they have been forcibly told to shut up.

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