KOTA KINABALU: The claim made by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) that the WWII Japanese shipwrecks in Usukan waters contained toxic materials was merely based on assumption.
There was no previous research done on the wrecks to support the claim.
The varsity’s archaeological research leader Baszley Bee Basrah Bee said the assumption was made based on historical records that the vessels were carrying bauxite and explosive materials during the time of sinking.
“We are not sure. We will have to wait for the chemist report (to find out),” he said when briefing the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and stakeholders on the controversial research undertaken by the varsity.
Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, and other representative from various departments as well as the diving fraternity were present at the briefing.
Baszley said Sabah has 30 World War 2 shipwreck sites, comprising three warships and 27 auxiliary vessels.
He said the three wrecks in Usukan – Kokusei Maru, Higane Maru and Hiyori Maru – were non-combat ships and had been looted over the past five years.
He said shipwrecks managing plans must be established to curb looting activity and to address wreck hazard issue in line with current research.
The varsity’s main role in the project initiated by private company Ugeens Berjaya Enterprise was to make an inventory of artefacts salvaged from the wrecks.
“I need to make it clear that the objective of our involvement in this salvage project is to record and document any discovery for the purpose of publishing books.
“Our role also involved clarifying the identity of three shipwrecks and to confirm the cargo being carried as well as to preserve any form of remains (of the wrecks),” he said.
The company assistant manager Abdul Rahman Md Saad, who is a retire navy officer with 24 years of experience, said looting activities on shipwrecks in Sabah waters have driven him to engage with experts to do research work on wrecks.
He admitted it was the company’s first experience in conducting salvaging works on WWII wrecks and claimed that the commissioned foreign vessel company has skills in conducting underwater archaeological salvage based on its portfolio.
He said salvaging works needed to be carried out as it was risky for divers to salvage materials from the ships based on its deteriorating conditions.
Abdul Rahman added the company had received approval to salvage the wrecks from the state marine and museum departments, adding they observed the conditions.
To a question where the remaining salvaged wrecks were taken, he said the remains were put elsewhere and only the museum department could reveal the new coordinates.
On this, Masidi said the toxic claims did not rest well as there had been no adverse effect over the years.
This was supported by a representative from Sabah Fisheries Department, who said fishes in Usukan waters have not shown sign of being affected by toxicity.
“It has been presumed there could be some toxic materials. This, we will invite another agency to determine.
“There is a need to have clear terms of reference with regards to approving salvage and exploration permit on historical shipwrecks.
“We need to make this definitive and spell out the conditions (clearly). There are areas that we could have done better and I’d like to make that as future reference if we d¬o similar work,” he said.
Masidi said a special committee under the chairmanship of Datu Rosmadi, will lay out a standard operating procedure for future salvaging work.
Under the existing enactment, Masidi said the Sabah Museum Director has a jurisdiction to issue exploration permit within three nautical miles from the shore.
In the case of Usukan wrecks, exploration permits were issued to Ugeens Berjaya Enterprise to explore the three shipwrecks, which are about nine nautical miles from Kuala Abai.
The company also received no objection to conduct salvage work on the shipwrecks by Sabah Marine Department.
“It was regretable that the museum director never consulted the ministry’s permanent secretary (on this) therefore we need to have a new SOP.
“Perhaps, exploration permit should come first and (the company) must report back to the Museum or Marine Department before a final decision whether to allow salvaging or not is made,” said Masidi.
On Jan 25, Masidi ordered UMS to stop its research following concern raised by fishermen and diving fraternity.
The Usukan wrecks sites have been the fishing ground for the local community and a diving destination for wreck divers across the globe.
On Jan 31, a group of divers inspected the extent of damage and found two shipwrecks missing while another beyond recognition.