KOTA KINABALU: Sandakan's Pulau Berhala, with its prominent cliffs and eventful history, will be developed as a sustainable tourism attraction.
Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the state government is collaborating with the private sector to develop the island, within a Class 4 Amenity Forest Reserve under the Sabah Forestry Department, for recreational forest tourism.
Bangkuai said the development will focus on 168ha of coastal area under a sustainable forest management licence agreement.
“Pulau Berhala has unique rock formations and historical value from World War II.
"The state sees potential in turning it into a tourism product for Sandakan,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting here on Wednesday (April 16).
Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung (PH-Tanjong Papat) had asked about tourism development plans for the island.
Bangkuai said the development would prioritise sustainability, taking into consideration the needs of the local fishing community and the preservation of the environment.
Responding to supplementary questions from Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan) and Calvin Chong Ket Kiun (Warisan-Elopura) on the island’s cleanliness, Bangkuai said the ministry would work with relevant local authorities to address the issue.
“Cleanliness is a top priority if we want to attract more tourists. The ministry will discuss with local authorities such as the Sandakan Municipal Council to ensure necessary action is taken,” he said.
According to various sources, the island was once a quarantine station for labourers coming from China and the Philippines. A leper colony was also set up there.
During World War II, the quarantine station was used as an internment camp first for British civilians, and then prisoners of war (POW).
In June 1943, several POWs bound for Sandakan escaped from Berhala to Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines.
