Pulau Kukup should stay a national park, says PM

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 10 Dec 2018 12:05PM · 4 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he hopes Johor will accept the stance of the federal government that Pulau Kukup should not be developed. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 10, 2018.

PUTRAJAYA does not want to see Pulau Kukup developed, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, adding that the federal government is not an “outsider” in the issue as claimed by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

Saying that the island should retain its national park status, Dr Mahathir said he hopes the Johor government will accept the federal government’s decision.

“That is the stance of federal government. I hope Johor will accept. Pulau Kukup should not be developed. It should remain as a forest reserve, particularly as it is a special mangrove forest.

“We don’t want the mangrove forest to be cut down in order to develop the island,” Dr Mahathir was reported as saying today after an event in Putrajaya.

The status of Pulau Kukup has been a hot-button issue following Johor’s decision to degazette the island as a national park and re-designate it as “sultanate land”, handing over the island to the Sultan of Johor.

Pulau Kukup is the second largest undeveloped mangrove island in the world. – Gambar Jabatan Pelancongan Johor, 6 Disember, 2018.

However, the cabinet on Friday had agreed that Pulau Kukup should remain a national park.

Following that, Tunku Ismail ticked off Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar for issuing a statement calling for the island to remain as a national park.

Tunku Ismail said his father, the sultan, had already consented to let the island remain as a national park while keeping its title as sultanate land, and urged “outsiders” to stay out of the issue.

“First of all, as an outsider, you don’t need to meddle with matters related to Johor. Secondly, no matter what statement or letter is issued, you have no jurisdiction to override the Johor state constitution,” the crown prince said in his comments directed at Xavier.

“The only one who can change the constitution is the ruler. The letter Johor has issued makes it clear that Pulau Kukup will remain protected as a national park,” he added.

Dr Mahathir however today rebutted the crown prince by saying that the federal government is not an “outsider”.

“Malaysians are not outsiders. The federal government is not an outsider. We are responsible for all things in the country,” he said.

Tunku Ismail had earlier claimed that Pulau Kukup will be “better protected” after its status is changed from national park to sultanate land. – December 10, 2018.

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Comments

  • Well Said Mahatir. !!!!! First of all sack the MB for his dereliction of duties and condoning the degazetted decision and redesignated to be place as "sultanate land" Pulau Kukup is Malaysian land and rightfully should be maintained as national park. The Royal Family in Johore is being arrogant and getting too big for their shoes. Their make believe of "Bangsa Johorean" has given them a false sense of power to overide the constitution and doing things at free will to their whims and fancies . Trying to repeat history where their Royal power are not questionable by anyone at all. They forgot that their niceties in life and food on the table are all provided by the hard efforts of the rakyat. They should be taught on the act of humility. All the nice comments and remarks showing caring and concerns are now viewed as charade.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Vintage Dr Mahathir. Mahathir's ability to give as good as he gets and stubborn refusal to be cowed by anyone, is probably why there was panic in several royal households when Pakatan cruised to victory at the last GE. Najib had behaved like a peon to certain royalty and these ivory tower folks have to be brought down to reality about who is the boss. Well done Tun.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • Well said Tun.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Well Answered PM Tun Dr M we are truly Malaysian.

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply