Human faeces found near Tanjung Aru beachfront, claims management

Littering has been a long-standing problem at the Tanjung Aru beachfront area.

KOTA KINABALU: The management of Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) Sdn Bhd is livid after what they claim is human faeces has been indiscriminately dumped near the beachfront.

Littering has been the main problem at the First Beach area, where the famous beachfront, along with some 80 hawker stalls, is located.

However, a fresh specimen was found on Wednesday morning (April 26), left out in the open not too far from where the stalls are located.

“Maybe it is high time for TAED to consider taking serious and consequential action on those who neglect the environment,” said Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who was appointed as the new chairman last February

"Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) has already started imposing a maximum RM500 fine on those caught littering.

"This is part of the management's initiative to beef up enforcement of public park cleanliness, as littering in these communal spaces not only spoils the aesthetic value of Tanjung Aru beach but also negatively affects local tourism," he said in a statement on Thursday (April 27).

DBKK handed over the maintenance of the public park to TAED on Jan 1, 2022, and about 30 full-time general workers have been hired to maintain the area.

This includes grass-cutting, rubbish collection, basic landscaping, beach and drain cleaning as well as assuming the roles of parking attendants and 24-hour security workers, while also assisting the control of traffic during peak hours at the roundabout there.

"Would it therefore be unreasonable for TAED to humbly request that all visitors adopt a better sense of community and a less selfish sense of public awareness in order that these public parks do not end up becoming a health hazard to visitors and tourists alike?" asked Pandikar.

Despite the placement of over 80 garbage bins and warning signs against littering throughout the park, he said the level of awareness among the public remained poor.

The situation is exacerbated on weekends and public holidays, with all manner of litter found around the park, which is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to Sabah.

Meanwhile, the TAED management said they would continue to introduce new attractions to bring more life and vibrancy back to the Tanjung Aru public park.

However, it said these activities will only be operational for the short-term until the TAED project officially commences.

Visitors had previously expressed concern that the area was quickly becoming a wasteland, alleging that little was done other than collecting parking fees in the area where there were not many amenities.

TAED, a proposed multi billion-ringgit tourism development plan, was launched in 2016 by the previous Barisan Nasional-led state government.

But the project was seen as controversial and locals have been urging the state government to abandon it and give the public free access to the beach.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has since pledged to downsize the initial TAED plans.

Last January, the Sabah government gave the nod for reclamation work on the Tanjung Aru beachfront.

Hajiji said the state government had agreed to a 15-year contract to mine and dredge sand for reclamation works.