THE controversial Tanjung Aru beachfront project in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, will go on, with a new name and some adjustments from its original plan.

The Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) project, which is being reviewed by the Sabah government, will only be known as the Tanjung Aru Development.

Sources, however, said while the name had yet to be finalised, the project would continue despite opposition from environmental groups.

“The project will go on and the same company will oversee the construction of the project,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

The source said TAED Sdn Bhd was headed by businessman Victor Paul.

Further indication that the project would continue also came from Deputy Chief Minister cum Trade and Industries Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau.  

In stating the name change, the Tuaran MP mentioned in passing that the project could bring about a water supply crisis in Sabah’s west coast.

“I was made to understand the project could cause a water crisis. This is only development related to the tourism industry.”  

TAED is an ambitious makeover for the popular tourist spot in Kota Kinabalu, unveiled by the previous Barisan Nasional government. Its ground-breaking ceremony by former prime minister Najib Razak was held on September 16 in 2013.

The project is valued at RM7.1 billion, with an additional RM1.83 billion for reclamation of the Tanjung Aru beach shoreline.

Environmental groups had held the Warisan-led Sabah government to taske for making a U-turn on its election promise to scrap the project.

Tanjung Aru assemblyman Junz Wong had previously said that the project had been halted, but later said he had been misquoted.

“Environmental groups can oppose the project all they want, but his constituents will have the final say,” another source said.

On July 4, Chief Minister Shafie Apdal had announced the project was being reviewed and indicated the likeliness of scaling down the project.

He had said the project, which involved the development of five-star resorts, high-end residential units, parks and a golf course, would churn out hundreds of jobs for Sabahans. – September 4, 2018.