ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government has given its assurances that Pulau Kukup will remain a national park.
Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said, following discussions with Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Ruler had decreed that Pulau Kukup, located in Pontian district, should remain so.
Besides remaining a national park, the Sultan had decreed that state government will be required to do its best to guard and manage Pulau Kukup under the Johor National Park Corporation.
“I am grateful for Tuanku’s decree. This shows that Tuanku is aware of the importance of our mangrove forest, which acts as a buffer against waves and about the importance of looking after our biodiversity.”
Osman said this when winding up the first session of the state assembly.
He said the decision to degazette Pulau Kukup as a national park was made on March 7 this year, when Barisan Nasional was still administering the state.
“These actions were only became known by my administration when the reserve (for Pulau Kukup) was cancelled and then reported by the media. I admit I was surprised by the media reports, especially when my colleagues in Pakatan Harapan accused this state government of approving it, when it was actually done by the previous administration,” he said.
Osman said, as an elected representative and the state’s chief executive, he wanted to assure everyone that the people’s interests would always be placed in the forefront of his concerns, even if he had to face many obstacles.
“I am nobody’s puppet... I am beholden only to the people. They were the ones who placed their trust in my team and they will never be betrayed.
“Believe me, my executive council members and I will continue to work diligently for the state. We will never betray the rights and the trust of the people,” he said.