Kota Kinabalu: Plans are afoot to expand the size of the historical Prince Philip Park in Tanjung Aru to 100 acres, from presently 22 acres.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this is part of a proposal to improve the condition of the Tanjung Aru beach.
“The size of the Prince Philip Park will be expanded to 100 acres, from presently 22 acres, if this proposal is endorsed by the Government.
“No decision has been made on this yet, we will discuss this during the State Cabinet meeting,” he said.
However, he did not elaborate on whether this is part of the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (Taed) Project.
He told media this when met during his visit to the site affected by the king tide phenomenon in Kampung Tanjung Aru Baru, Tanjung Aru, Tuesday, where he also handed natural disaster cash assistance to the victims.
He was asked on whether there is any development involving reclamation in Tanjung Aru beach.
The Prince Philip Park was named after the Duke of Edinburgh in 1972, after his third visit to Sabah.
Taed is a mixed development project at Tanjung Aru, with the addition of resort hotels, residential areas, marinas, entertainment venues, beach clubs and dining areas.
The redevelopment areas cover some 340 hectares, which will double Tanjung Aru park's size to about 30 hectares. Part of the area would be transformed into a rainforest, intended to rejuvenate the Prince Philip Park located nearby.
The refurbishment of the park would include a promenade, walking and cycling tracks and an ecology centre, along with the construction of a 133 hectares Greg Norman-designed golf course, seven hotels with 1,800 rooms and 5,000 apartment and condominium units.
The project, however, has been met with criticisms from local conservation groups.
Hajiji had said that Taed will be continued but scaled down.
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