CM told to explain sale of three Sabah islands

Harakahdaily

Oct 27: Sabah PAS Youth has urged chief minister Musa Aman to explain the sale of three islands belonging to the state as advertised on a Canadian-based website. L-R: Sabah PAS Youth leader Lahirul Latigu and chief minister Musa Aman The wing's chief Lahirul Latigu said if true, the sale had clearly violate the country’s sovereignty and security. “How can islands be traded, when they are valuable asset of a state,” he asked at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu last weekend. Last month, Sabah Land and Survey Department director Osman Jamal confirmed that at least three privately-owned islands off Sabah, namely Pulau Mengalum and Pulau Montokud in the west coast and Pulau Pandanan in the east coast were up for sale. “It is the right of the individuals to sell them,” he was quoted as saying, adding that he had discussed the matter with Musa to ensure “Sabah's interests were protected.” The three islands listed for sale are Pulau Mengalum, Pulau Montukud and Pulau Pandanan, with the asking price of US$18 million, US$11.26 million and US$2 million respectively. Mengalum is located 35 miles offshore the state capital Kota Kinabalu, and is a scuba-diving resort. Montukod is a kilometre from Kinarut and is a 17-acre land comprising of hills. Pandanan meanwhile is located 30 kilometres from Semporna with lush forests, vegetation and beautiful beaches. They notice of the sale can be found at www.privateislandsonline.com, run by luxury real estate company Private Islands Inc headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Lahirul said Musa's failure to explain the sale of the islands would be followed up with taking the issue at the Federal level as well as in parliament. The wing meanwhile launched its campaign called ‘Save Sabah’s Islands’ on October 16, a signature driver to protest any sale of Sabah's lands. The online petition can be found at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-sabahs-islands.