Sipadan Closing at End 2004 ?

[Albion]

They should get their **** together (the resorts) and come up with better envinonmental practices, then they might be able to stay.

WELLLLLL

I dived there last year with Pulau Sipadan Resort. One day after the first dive the compressors died and we were told there would be a long wait , no idea how long, until it would be working again. We suggested that as borneo divers were next door that some tanks could be charged there. this seemed a reasonable request to us as the same fate may hit borneo divers. Basically it was a no go. So they are within spitting distance of each other but cannot help each other out in this manner, do you really think they can organise something bigger!!!!!!!

 

[ninjamuzo]

I was there in April 2004. The DM's there told me that the Government has been 'threatening' to kick the operators off the Island for about 5 years now.

The issue is that the island is a national park/turtle preserve. There will still be diving but the operators may have to move off the island by the end of the year. There is nothing definite at this time.

 

[pataussiediver]

WELLLLLL

I dived there last year with Pulau Sipadan Resort. One day after the first dive the compressors died and we were told there would be a long wait , no idea how long, until it would be working again. We suggested that as borneo divers were next door that some tanks could be charged there. this seemed a reasonable request to us as the same fate may hit borneo divers. Basically it was a no go. So they are within spitting distance of each other but cannot help each other out in this manner, do you really think they can organise something bigger!!!!!!!

That's a bit tough of Borneo Divers, not letting Palau Sipidan Resort use theur compressor. Who know what's going on there. Maybe Borneo Divers feel like it's their turf because they were there first. I did get the impression just a little that they felt superior to the other resorts, but they are right on the drop off, what a spot! Location location!
Well, no wonder they can't pool their resourses and come up with an invironmental plan, sounds like they can't even talk to each other. When money comes into the equation.....
Hey, this happens on a larger scale too, between countries.
To be fair, I was impressed by Borneo Divers, quite Professional in a relaxed Malay way. Just not good at diplomacy it seems.

 

[Freeflyer]

I haven't been there yet, only had one weekend in the water so far and then the engines on our dive boat died. Back in operation in a couple of weeks.

this was circulated to all the members of our club a few days ago. Veronica works for sipadan-resort.


Greetings from Sipadan/Kapalai

We wish to inform you that the State Government has announced*that *effective from*1st*January 2005*all Sipadan operators*have*to move out from the island. The Government will take steps to protect and conserve the island of Sipadan.** However the Government will allow day trippers to dive*around *the island*

As such*Pulau Sipadan Resort**wishes to inform that effective from 1st January 2005 our resort* at Sipadan island will cease operation.*

However we wish to inform you that we have Kapalai Resort which is only 15 mins away from Sipadan by boat.* We will conduct the 2 morning dives around Sipadan *and*back to Kapalai for lunch.* The 3rd afternoon dive will be a choice of diving around Kapalai or Mabul.

Attached herewith photos taken of *the turtles, baracuddas, jacks around Kapalai waters.*

regards

veronica

*

Don't know the politics, but you'll still be able to dive the island from kapalai.

Cheers,

J.

 

[frogfish]

I haven't been there yet, only had one weekend in the water so far and then the engines on our dive boat died. Back in operation in a couple of weeks.

this was circulated to all the members of our club a few days ago. Veronica works for sipadan-resort.


Greetings from Sipadan/Kapalai

We wish to inform you that the State Government has announced*that *effective from*1st*January 2005*all Sipadan operators*have*to move out from the island. The Government will take steps to protect and conserve the island of Sipadan.** However the Government will allow day trippers to dive*around *the island*

As such*Pulau Sipadan Resort**wishes to inform that effective from 1st January 2005 our resort* at Sipadan island will cease operation.*

However we wish to inform you that we have Kapalai Resort which is only 15 mins away from Sipadan by boat.* We will conduct the 2 morning dives around Sipadan *and*back to Kapalai for lunch.* The 3rd afternoon dive will be a choice of diving around Kapalai or Mabul.

Attached herewith photos taken of *the turtles, baracuddas, jacks around Kapalai waters.*

regards

veronica

*

Don't know the politics, but you'll still be able to dive the island from kapalai.

Cheers,

J.

Ok - this is why I saw them constructing new bungalows in Kapalai !

 

[pataussiediver]

I haven't been there yet, only had one weekend in the water so far and then the engines on our dive boat died. Back in operation in a couple of weeks.

this was circulated to all the members of our club a few days ago. Veronica works for sipadan-resort.


Greetings from Sipadan/Kapalai

We wish to inform you that the State Government has announced*that *effective from*1st*January 2005*all Sipadan operators*have*to move out from the island. The Government will take steps to protect and conserve the island of Sipadan.**

I think the point is being missed here. Humans can exist in the natural environment and cause minimal damage.
For example the operators on Sipidan could;
(a) Install composting toilets
(b) Use Solar electricity
Just those two measures would surely solve some of the larger problems. Good composting toilets have no smell, and the end product is a soil-like substance. Getting rid of the generators would get rid of noise and atmospheric pollution, and it would be cheaper. I'm no expert, I've just seen this for myself in National Parks here in Aus. The Malaysian Government should enforce these kinds of measures on the Sipadan operators. I don't understand why they aren't doing this. Could it be there's other reasons to kick out the operators?
I've heard from Malaysians that the Indonesians want Sipadan too. When I was there a warship parked for a while offshore, and some jet fighters flew very low over the Island. Then you've got the phillipino terrorists. So what's the real reason?

 

[Rickg]

pataussiediver,

The territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia concerning Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan was decided in favor of Malaysia by the International Court of Justice in the Hague in 17 December 2002. You'll have to go to the last page (page 60) of the PDF file to read the final decision. Here are links to the decision.

http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/idocket/iinma/iinmaframe.htm

http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/idocket/iinma/iinmajudgment/iinma_ijudgment_20021217.PDF

Rickg

 

[Freeflyer]

Been chatting with some people here, and there's a rumour going round that the government are going to put their own establishment on Kapalai, which is why they want the other operators off.

No idea if this is genuine, just a rumour, but I thought I'd add it to the mix. If I find out more (i'll be going to sipadan for a long weekend sometime before september) I'll post back.

J.

 

[David B]

I stayed at the Sipadan Paradise Resort on Sipadan in February this year. I emailed them yesterday asking if the rumours were true about Sipadan closing. The reply from them was "The government has indicated their firm stand on requesting all operators on the island to vacate by end of 2004."

It would seem that it is going to happen. Just glad I managed to get there before it did. Accommodation on Sipadan is pretty reasonably priced but basic. The accommodatin on Mabul looks pretty exclusive so is going to preclude all but the better off diver. I hope reasonably priced accommodation will become available in time.

David

 

[ScubaKai]

I haven't been there yet, only had one weekend in the water so far and then the engines on our dive boat died. Back in operation in a couple of weeks.

this was circulated to all the members of our club a few days ago. Veronica works for sipadan-resort.


Greetings from Sipadan/Kapalai

We wish to inform you that the State Government has announced*that *effective from*1st*January 2005*all Sipadan operators*have*to move out from the island. The Government will take steps to protect and conserve the island of Sipadan.** However the Government will allow day trippers to dive*around *the island*

As such*Pulau Sipadan Resort**wishes to inform that effective from 1st January 2005 our resort* at Sipadan island will cease operation.*

However we wish to inform you that we have Kapalai Resort which is only 15 mins away from Sipadan by boat.* We will conduct the 2 morning dives around Sipadan *and*back to Kapalai for lunch.* The 3rd afternoon dive will be a choice of diving around Kapalai or Mabul.

Attached herewith photos taken of *the turtles, baracuddas, jacks around Kapalai waters.*

regards

veronica

*

Don't know the politics, but you'll still be able to dive the island from kapalai.

Cheers,

J.

I don't know about this report, but it sounds much like what was circulating around while I was there,.

The Idea is that the Island needs to recover, and with that I agree. I spoke to one of the operators during a SI, and they said this story of the island closing has been around for a while (about 5 years now I think). Much of what was said is as quoted by J above, and has been stated annually. However there is an additional twist to the story. The claim is that the government 'receives' additional 'donations' from the operators to remain on Sipidan. So there is a lot of under the table bribing still going on to decide the fate of the Island. It's not a matter of IF it will close, but a matter of WHEN. I don't know what to think of it all really, as I am 100% for the recovery of the island, but at the same time, living on it was one of the best experiences of my life.

So go dive there while you can, but please please please be good to it.

-K