Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (fourth right), flanked by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai and the Director of Sabah Parks Dr Maklarin Lakim, with other government officials at the State Assembly building today. Second from right is the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Mary Malangking, while the Deputy Director of Sabah Parks Maipol Spait is at extreme left.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 21): The Sabah State Legislative Assembly approved the bill to amend the Parks Enactment 1984 today.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said that all parks or nature reserves established in the state of Sabah are governed by the Parks Enactment 1984, and her ministry, through the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, is responsible for enforcing this enactment.
“Fundamentally, this law regulates all activities within the parks and nature reserves in Sabah,” she explained to the State Assembly.
She said that the enactment was last amended in 2007, approximately 17 years ago. Hence, there is a need to update and enhance it to meet the current management requirements of parks and nature reserves, she said.
“Additionally, these amendments aim to improve, standardise and update existing provisions and incorporate new ones to strengthen the management of areas established as parks or nature reserves,” she said.
“The Parks Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2024 will take effect on the date of its publication in the Gazette,” Liew said.
She shared that the highlights of the amendments were:
Clause 1: Contains the short title and commencement date; Clause 3: Amends Section 2 by removing the definition of “authority” and adding “ecosystem services.”; Clause 4: Introduces a new Section 3A outlining the purposes for establishing parks or nature reserves.; Clause 5: Updates Section 17 to include a new list of established parks under the enactment.; Clause 6: Adds Section 17A for management plans of parks or nature reserves.; Clause 7: Expands the functions of the Board in Section 45.; Clause 8: Inserts Section 45A, restricting the use of the Board’s emblem or representations.; Clause 9: Replaces Section 47 to improve provisions for the Board’s budget preparation.; Clause 10: Introduces Section 47A, requiring the Board to maintain proper accounts and present annual financial statements to the Legislative Assembly.; Clause 12: Adds Section 49A, authorising Park Officers to carry and use firearms in parks or nature reserves under administrative directives.; Clause 13: Adds Section 51B for investigative powers.; Clause 14: Updates Section 56 to improve the compounding of offenses.; Clause 15: Amends Section 59, enhancing the Board’s regulatory powers; and other amendments not specifically detailed are minor or consequential changes.
Liew said the bill underwent a thorough process involving all relevant stakeholders before finalisation.
“These amendments are expected to bolster the ongoing efforts to empower the management of current and future parks or nature reserves in Sabah,” she said.
Debating the Bill were Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob who proposed the ministry look at other beautiful places in Sabah that need to be protected for the future generation.
“The ministry must increase the number of these places. Sabah is huge. There are still many beautiful places that we can protect. The ministry can carry out surveys using satelites and drones, and reports from the Forestry Ministry, the District Offices which get feedback from local leaders as well as nature lovers and jungle trekkers,” he said.
He also cited researchers from universities also go in the forest.
“In Sindumin, Sipitang, the Maligan village, I informed the people there not to allow any logging companies to go in. There is a lake on a hill there surrounded by vegetation and wildlife that if we don’t protect will disappear forever,” he said.
“Hence, we must enforce this (bill),” he said.
Sungai Manila assemblyman Datuk Mokran Ingkat stressed the importance of including the community.
“We ask that when Sabah Parks form the management plan, priority should be the community that uses the area. They must be prioritised. We don’t want that only companies from outside are reaping the benefits like other places,” he said.
