KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's internationally renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan in the state's east coast is on track for qualifying in the listing as one of the seven new wonders of nature.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjum said an official supporting committee had been set up as the key qualifying step for Sipadan stipulated in the contest website www.new7wonders.com.
He said the committee was headed by Sabah Tourism chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Tengku Mahmud and among its tasks was canvassing support the get people to vote online for the nation's sole oceanic island known for its 3,000 species of fish and dozens of varieties of corals.
"We only knew about three weeks ago that some people who had dived at Sipadan had nominated the island for the listing and we moved quickly to qualify by setting up the official supporting committee," Masidi said on Friday.
He said the nomination would not only further highlight Sipadan and the pristine beauty of nearby islands but also create more awareness among Malaysians about the need for conservation efforts of the island.
"From what I understand, the next round of selection would see more stringent conditions being applied including that about what conservation efforts are being carried out there," Masidi added.
Sipadan was nominated under the island category in the seven wonders contest and is currently in 17th position behind Thailand's Ko Phi Phi, Bora Bora, the Galapagos, Cocos Island and Terra del Fuego, among others.
The other categories were landscapes and ice formations, mountains and volcanoes, caves, rock fomations and valleys, forest, nature reserves and national parks, lakes, rivers and waterfalls as well as seascapes.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman urged Malaysians to cast their vote online for Sipadan to be listed as one of the seven wonders of nature.
"Sipadan is an underwater gem known to among divers worldwide. We should be proud of it," he added.
By RUBEN SARIO (TheStar 20 February 2009)
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