Source : Daily Express, Sabah, 19 Nov '04
By : Daily Express
  

"If true, we will take action and impose appropriate penalties on the company concerned," he said, Thursday.

Met at the Hari Raya open house hosted by Umno Libaran headed by him at the Community Centre, he assured a thorough investigation would be done immediately.

A tour operator, Datuk Wilfred Lingham, had alleged that a group of oil palm operators had encroached onto Lot One and Two of the wildlife sanctuary under the care of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Lingham also alleged that several structures as well as road had already been built inside the sanctuary.

On the issue of forged MyKads, of which Sabah was reported to have the most, he said investigations were being intensified to ensure nobody would take advantage of the facilities provided by the government.

"We will conduct a thorough investigation," he said without elaborating.

He reminded all illegal immigrants still in the State to take advantage of the amnesty programme that had been extended until the end of this year.

He said the programme gave them the opportunity to leave and return to Malaysia through the right channel and with proper travel documents.

"If they want to work here there is no problem but what is important is that they must have valid travel documents."

On the appointment of the next Mayor and presidents of Tawau and Sandakan Municipal Councils, Musa urged the people not to speculate.

"What is important is to ensure that those appointed fulfilled the criterion and are able to achieve the State Government's goals. Of course, we want those who are really qualified," he said.

On another note, Musa assured that a study would be conducted pertaining to the diesel price and supply issue affecting fishermen in Batu Sapi waters here.

He would be holding discussions with the relevant authorities.

"We are aware that the fishermen depend their livelihood from the catches and an appropriate price will help in stimulating their activities," he said.

Most of the fishermen in Batu Sapi lamented that the quantity of diesel supplied to them was limited, which is about 200 litres. Most suppliers were more interested in selling to the industrial areas at between RM1.10 and RM1.50 per litre. The retail price for diesel is 80 sen per litre.

Meanwhile, Musa commended the security personnel especially the traffic police and Road Transport Department, for their contribution through campaigns and road blocks in reducing the number of accidents during the Hari Raya holidays this year.

He hoped road users in Sabah would continue to practice a safe driving habit to ensure accidents, particularly fatal ones, continue to go down.

More than 7,000 people attended the open house.