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Christmas Present for 2008 ?  State EPU : Confirm Coal Plant in Seguntor

New Year Present For 2009 ?  State Gov. : No decision on Coal Plant

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Dated : 30th December 2008

Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has not made any decision pertaining to the proposed coal-fired power plant proposed for Sungai Seguntor, Sandakan.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the matter had not been discussed in the Cabinet and as far as he was concerned there was no decision yet.

Met after the State Ma’al Hijrah celebration in Wisma Muis, Monday, Masidi was asked to comment on the statement by top officials of the Lahad Datu Energy (LDE) Sdn Bhd that the new site for the coal-fired power plant is to be within the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) area in Sandakan.

He said he was also not aware of the proposal by the State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for State Government-owned companies to hold a 35 per cent stake in the project.

"They can propose but to my knowledge I am not aware and I am curious to know too," he said.

On the proposal by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili to set up Sabah’s first windmill power project, Masidi said the matter was worth trying.

"We have been talking about clean energy and if its work it would definitely be most welcomed," he said.

Masidi said it was imperative for the tourism industry that the pristine environment is maintained because that is what visitors come to Sabah for.

Hence, he said the windmill project would help maintain the State’s environment, as it is meant to generate power without compromising on nature.

However, it was still too early to tell if the project is commercially viable because in order to do so some experiments must be done.

"It would be na"ve to say that we have found a solution to our power problem," he said, adding that the State Government had also submitted a letter to Dr Maximus’ Ministry, among others, providing proposals on the project.

Dr Maximus had said a study including wind mapping would be carried out before the project involving two windmills is implemented.

He added that the pilot project, which he proposed in Kota Marudu, is estimated to cost RM5 million.

Popularity: 1% [?]

" Sabah State EPU CONFIRMED : COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT IN SEGUNTOR !!! "

The State Government has proposed that Sabah-owned companies hold a 35 per cent stake in the development of the coal-fired power plant to be built by Lahad Datu Energy (LDE) Sdn Bhd in Sandakan.

The proposed was made by the State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) after Sungai Seguntor, Sandakan was named as an alternative site for the 300MW coal-fired power plant that was earlier planned for Silam in Lahad Datu.

The media was briefed by LDE Sdn Bhd during a luncheon at Pacific Sutera, Tuesday, that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the project on a reclaimed land within the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Sandakan area is expected to be completed by end of this year.

The TOR studies were being done by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia (UKM), said LDE Sdn Bhd Senior Manager, Abu Bakar Ahmad.

The TOR would be advertised in the newspapers to provide information to the public and gather feedback, while the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is expected to begin in February.

Another round of public feedback gathering would be conducted before the EIA report is completed probably by July or August, he said.

He said LDE is committed to an environmental management programme, which would be closely monitored by the Department of Environment in order to safeguard the natural habitat and its surroundings.

“The proposed site is already gazetted as an industrial area. In terms of business and employment opportunities, more than RM300 million worth of contract will be sub-contracted to local companies while thousands of skilled or unskilled jobs will be created, either directly or indirectly, “ he said.

An estimated 3,000 workers would be required during its construction and when operational, the plant would provide around 200 permanent jobs to Sabahans, he said.

According to him, the power plant would be connected to the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) Grid through a new 275kV transmission line that would be constructed a part of the project.

Abu Bakar said prolonged delay in the commissioning of the proposed coal-fired power plant in Sabah’s east coast would expose the area to more frequent blackouts because SESB would have to still rely on unreliable ageing diesel plants and importation of power from West Coast to meet the demand.

Presently, about 30 per cent of East Coast demand is supported daily by West Coast generators and such lopsided grid would expose the East Coast to the risk of a serious major blackout in the event of an interconnection failure.

Fielding question from the media, LDE top guns said that even though the contract with a China company to supply and build the coal-fired power plant in Silam, Lahad Datu had been signed it has now been temporarily suspended due to the change of site.

Among the senior LDE officials on hand were Project Director Ahmad Faraid and Commercial Manager, Hasniza Hassan.

They also assured that every precaution would be taken to ensure the environment and wildlife in the surrounding areas would not be in jeopardy once the plant is operational.

In West Malaysia and Sarawak, there are already six coal-fired power plants strictly adhering to the DOE’s rules and regulations, successfully generating electricity without and adverse impact to the environment, they said.

When asked on doubts that the plant would not affect the environment due to its location as “a bay within a bay” and the fact that it is only a “stone’s throw away” from the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Abu Bakar said feasibility studies were being done specifically on the water circulation.

As for the wildlife, he pointed out that the Tenaga Nasional Berhad coal-fired power plant in Kapar had even attracted migratory shorebirds that fly over 24,000km to escape the northern winter at the ash lagoon of the plant to rest, roost and feed.

To another point that it was unnecessary for the plant to be built in the East Coast as electricity could be supplied through transmission lines from power plants in Kimanis and Ulu Padas, Abu Bakar said:

“Supplying electricity through long transmission lines would result in los of efficiency and is unstable”. Also on hand were Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Rahman Ghani.

Daily Express 24^th Dec 2008

ALL SANDAKANIANS, BROTHERS & SISTERS, FRIENDS, TOURISTS, WE MUST STAY UNITED AND ACT WITH SINCERITY AND PEOPLE POWER WE CAN TURN NEGATIVE INTO POSITIVE !

WE WANT CLEAN ENERGY AND NO COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT !!!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Popularity: 4% [?]

Download in PDF Format:
http://rapidshare.com/files/176282238/N1220A1p.pdf

CALL ON ALL YBs TO EXECUTE THE PEOPLE’S WISHES AND DESIRE FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND NO COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

The anti coal committee explained that anti coal is not anti-government.

Anti coal is for the protection of our environment and people’s health and future. It is also for the preservation of our natural riches for future generation.

With so many YBs in Sandakan including the CM, DCM, Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Minister, Speaker and so many others all of whom were elected by the Sandakan people who gave BN a 100% return in the last election.

The people are 100% behind the Government and we hope that all our political leaders are 100% behind us in our fight against this most undesirable coal-fired power plant.

We sincerely hope that they will not disappoint us!

STEPHEN WONG CALLS ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THE ANTI COAL WEBSITE: www.savesandakan.com

The Sandakan anti coal committee chairman, Mr. Stephen Wong, welcomes members of the public to visit the anti coal website www.savesandakan.com to have a better understanding of the proposed coal-fired power plant as well as the committee’s struggle to oppose such a plant in order to protect and preserve a cleaner and more healthy for future generations.

The fight for the preservation of a better environment should be the common objective and duty of all and that is why Wong is calling on more people to join in the ranks so that our voice is big enough for the authority to hear and take note. If you have not already signed up please join in the petition to have this project scrapped.

All of us who are concerned about our beloved land and environment and what a coal plant could do to destroy it should make good use of this website to communicate with each other, exchange ideas and opinion and upload information and materials for all to share and make use of in our fight against the destruction of our environment.

Wong also said that he is delighted and fully supports Datuk Suroh , chairman of the Energy Commission of Malaysia, in his intended recommendation to the Government to advance the implementation of the LIWAGU hydropower plant to resolve the problem of power shortage on the east coast of Sabah.

Despite the high cost of coal now and the availability of many alternative means to provide clean energy the authority’s insistence on the coal-fired power plant is indeed beyond anyone’s understanding.

He hopes that Government would be kind enough to listen to the wishes of the people and scrap the coal power plant all together and give us clean energy so that we can leave a clean and healthy environment for future generation.

Popularity: 5% [?]

(12^th Dec) During a dialogue session today in kampong Banbangan organized for about 400 people from 11 kampongs, the director of planning for Lahad Datu Energy Company argued that wastes from the coal-fired power plant after treatment will not have any adverse effects on human or marine lives.

Stephen Wong, chairman of the anti coal committee, refuted such argument and asked Mr. Ahmad, from Lahad Datu, why he did not arrange for the coal-fired power plant to be built in Lahad Datu since it is such a good thing! Why is he now arranging to build it in Sandakan instead?

Sandakan residents determined to oppose coal-fired power plant

Stephen Wong said that Sandakan is definitely not suitable for the setting up of a coal-fired power plant and people of Sandakan are determined to oppose such a plant.

Although people of Sandakan are in favour of the setting up of a power plant they are definitely opposed to the construction of a coal-fired power plant.

TNB’s insistence on the construction of the coal-fired power plant is indeed beyond the people’s understanding. None of the people would like to see their beloved native land and the natural environment spoilt or ruined by a coal-fired power plant.

Popularity: 2% [?]

http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=61628

Popularity: 2% [?]

"Teach your children
what we have taught ours, that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.
The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth.
Man did not weave the web of life;
he is merely a strand in it.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors;
we borrow it from our children."

Chief Seattle – A great leader of the Native American Suquamish Tribe

Brothers & Sisters,

I was saddened to read the latest news on Datuk Raymond Tan’s meeting with DPM Najib & Tenaga Chairman Leo Moggie (http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=61628) and the verbal diarohea of how the government is duty-bound to provide electricity to the people. They are diverting from the essentials – They were talking about alternative and ‘best’ sites instead of talking about alternative or best source of power.

I am of the opinion that some people have brains that has ceased to function after entering the kingdom called POLITICS. They talk and talk but never listen.

Whats happening is a result of electing arrogant and selfish politicians who are corrupted to the core. And there are some slaving servants who are are so hard-up wanting to earn their bread and butter that they will swear upon their mother’s grave that the government is right – sometimes even before they have heard all of it.

Sandakanians -  STAY UNITED! Your power lies in YOUR VOTE! Use it wisely the next time around.

Cheers,
SM Muthu

Take time to reflect on these meaningful quotes:

Remember in a democracy –

The people shouldn’t be afraid of their government, The government should be afraid of its people.

When a government starts telling the people whats right and wrong, the people are in great danger.

My observation and readings of history tells me that most bad governments are the result of too much power.

A government, for protecting business only, is but a carcass, and soon falls by its own corruption and decay.
Amos Bronson Alcott 1799-1888, American Educator, Social Reformer

In every State, the government is nothing but a permanent conspiracy on the part of the minority against the majority, which it enslaves and fleeces. Michael Bakunin

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 11% [?]

Oleh Melati Mohd Ariff

 
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 Mei (Bernama) — "Kita akan mewariskan dunia yang amat panas kepada anak, cucu dan cicit kita."
Ini adalah antara intipati perbualan Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, ketua Jabatan Geografi, Universiti Malaya dengan Bernama di sini baru-baru ini.
Dalam wawancara tersebut, Prof Azizan membincangkan sambutan Hari Alam Sekitar Sedunia tahun ini yang bertemakan "Perubahan Iklim."
Sebagai profesor meteorologi dan mengajar bidang alam sekitar, bicara Prof Azizan dibayangi rasa penuh kebimbangan.
Namun, berapa ramaikah rakyat Malaysia akan berasa cemas dengan kenyataan yang dibuatnya serta laporan semasa mengenai pemanasan global atau peningkatan suhu bumi?
Jawapannya "tak ramai" jika mengambil kira pandangan Prof Azizan bahawa, atas skala 10, kesedaran rakyat Malaysia mengenai pemanasan global hanya sekitar tiga atau empat — satu penunjuk nyata bahawa rakyat Malaysia rata-rata tidak memberi perhatian berat kepada isu-isu alam sekitar.

BUMI SEMAKIN PANAS
Di peringkat global, suhu bumi telah meningkat sebanyak kira-kira dua darjah dan kenaikan ini berbeza dari satu rantau ke satu rantau yang lain. Kawasan Artik umpamanya semakin menjadi panas pada kadar yang lebih pantas berbanding bahagian lain dunia.
Bagaimanapun, rekod serta pengawasan saintifik menunjukkan bahawa bukan sahaja bumi semakin panas tetapi hakikatnya perubahan tersebut berpunca daripada perbuatan manusia sendiri.
"Ahli sains kini pasti dan amat yakin bahawa 98 peratus pemanasan global yang kita alami sekarang berpunca daripada pelepasan karbon dioksida akibat pembakaran bahan bakar fosil yang telah dilakukan sejak abad ke-18.

"Sekarang kita ada dua masalah. Apabila tahap karbon dioksida meningkat, kesan rumah hijau menjadi lebih kuat dan ini akan meningkatkan suhu.
"Apabila suhu meningkat, bumi akan bertindak kepada peningkatan suhu yang akan membawa kepada perubahan iklim," jelas Prof Azizan yang membuat ulasan berdasarkan Laporan Penilaian Keempat (Perubahan Iklim 2007) Panel Antara Kerajaan Perubahan Iklim (IPCC).
IPCC merupakan badan peneraju penilaian perubahan iklim, ditubuhkan oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) untuk memberi pandangan yang lebih jelas dan seimbang mengenai keadaan pemahaman perubahan iklim dewasa ini.
Ditubuhkan pada 1988 oleh Pertubuhan Meteorologi Dunia serta Program Alam Sekitar PBB, kegiatan terasnya adalah menyemak dan menilai maklumat saintifik, teknikal dan sosio-ekonomi yang terkini.
Laporan 1 (1990) dan 2 (1995) IPCC menggambarkan banyak ketidakpastian dan kebanyakannya adalah negatif, maknanya menjejaskan manusia atau tamadunnya.
Laporan ketiga (2001) berkisar kepada "Menangani Perubahan Iklim."

KETAGIHAN BAHAN BAKAR FOSIL
"Iklim tidak statik tetapi perubahan yang kita alami sekarang berlaku pada kadar yang amat pantas. Kitaran bumi untuk perbezaan iklim yang paling pendek ialah 10,000 tahun tetapi sekarang yang dibincangkan ialah kira-kira 100 tahun, jarak hanya 2 generasi sahaja.
"Persoalannya sekarang ialah sama ada kita masih berpegang kepada ketagihan bahan bakar fosil. Sejak abad ke-18 apabila kita bertukar kepada bahan bakar fosil daripada sumber asas air atau kayu, dunia semakin ketagih kepada bahan bakar fosil. Seperti ketagihan lain, kita perlu keluar daripada ketagihan ini," ujar Prof Azizan.
Beliau beranggapan masyarakat negara ini secara umumnya tidak prihatin kepada isu karbon dioksida kerana mereka tidak dapat melihat impak gas tersebut memandangkan ianya tidak berbau dan bukan toksik.
Menurut Prof Azizan, konsentrasi karbon dioksida di atmosfera telah meningkat daripada kira-kira 280 bahagian sejuta (ppm) dicatat di kurun ke-18 (sebelum era revolusi perindustrian) kepada 379 ppm pada tahun 2005.
"Kita mungkin berhadapan dengan 700 ppm menjelang tahun 2099 sekiranya kita meneruskan cara hidup kita sekarang. Jika kita perhatikan planet lain seperti Marikh, suhunya kira-kira 400 darjah celcius dan 90 peratus daripada atmosferanya adalah karbon dioksida. Hampir tiada kehidupan di sana.
"Kita taklah seperti Marikh tetapi dijangkakan jika kita meneruskan apa yang kita lakukan sekarang dan tidak menangani tahap pelepasan karbon dioksida dengan mengurangkan pembakaran bahan bakar fosil, kita akan memberikan dunia yang amat panas untuk anak, cucu dan cicit kita," kata Prof Azizan dengan nada bimbang.
Beliau menambah IPCC telah mencadangkan supaya tahap karbon dioksida di atmosfera distabilkan kepada "paras yang boleh diuruskan iaitu 450 ppm".

KEBIMBANGAN ABAD KE-21
Menurut Prof Azizan, bumi mengalami suhu yang meningkat sejak tahun-tahun 90an.
Beliau memberikan contoh iklim panas melampau di Perancis, iklim lebih panas di rantau Siberia dan pencairan "permafrost (lapisan tanah yang kekal beku di rantau paling sejuk) terutamanya di rantau Artik.
"Tetapi apa yang paling serius, pada pandangan saya, ialah apa yang akan berlaku pada abad ke-21. Ahli sains meramalkan keseluruhan ais laut di Artik akan cair pada musim panas 2099.
"Litupan ais Greenland mungkin juga akan mencair. Satu lagi yang dijangka mengalami nasib yang sama tetapi buat masa ini tidak ada banyak bukti ialah litupan ais Antartika Barat. Jika itu pun cair, paras laut akan meningkat kira-kira 7 meter," kata Prof Azizan, nadanya bimbang.
Apakah langkah mengurangkan pembakaran bahan bakar fosil jawapan kepada menghentikan impak pemanasan global?
"Kalau pun kita mengurangkan penggunaan bahan bakar fosil, tak banyak yang dapat kita lakukan untuk menukarkan keadaan. Untuk menghapuskan konsentrasi karbon dioksida di dalam atmosfera, ianya mengambil masa antara 200 atau 300 tahun," jelasnya, dengan menambah tentangan kepada langkah mengurangkan pembakaran bahan bakar fosil mungkin datang dari negara-negara yang sedang pesat membangun seperti China dan India.
Di samping bahan bakar fosil, perubahan penggunaan tanah, katanya menyumbang kepada kira-kira 30 peratus pelepasan karbon dioksida.

IMPAK SELURUH DUNIA
Di negara ini, meskipun Malaysia bukan penyumbang utama pelepasan karbon dioksida, kita juga perlu mula memikirkan apa yang sedang berlaku di sekeliling kita. Ini adalah kerana kita tidak akan terlepas daripada bahana yang menimpa negara-negara lain!
Sebagai sebuah negara dan untuk kesinambungan hidup kita, wajar sekali kita melengkapkan ilmu dan peka dengan pesekitaran kita.
Seperti kata Prof Azizan, "Kita tidak boleh tinggal di dalam tempurung. Pemanasan global adalah ancaman global!"
Dengan ramalan peningkatan 7.0 meter paras laut, kawasan rendah seperti Kuala Muda (Kedah) dan Kelantan akan menerima impak teruk.
"Sebahagian besar kawasan-kawasan tersebut akan lenyap. Malahan monsun kita juga akan terjejas. Kita akan menerima lebih banyak hujan sewaktu monsun timur laut, yang bermakna lebih banyak kejadian banjir," jelasnya.
Prof Azizan mengakui masalah utama ialah bagaimana untuk mendapatkan perhatian masyarakat di negara ini.
Bagaimanapun, katanya masyarakat Malaysia perlu dididik bahawa apa yang berlaku di tempat lain akan mempunyai impak langsung ke atas negara ini.
"Tsunami 2004. Itu adalah pengajaran terbaik untuk kita. Banjir besar di Johor. Apa yang berlaku menunjukkan apa yang boleh dibuat oleh alam dan apabila alam tidak bertindak seperti yang kita fikir sepatutnya dilakukan kerana alam mempunyai mindanya sendiri," kata Prof Azizan, dengan menambah bahawa pendekatan yang betul perlu untuk mendidik masyarakat.
"Mendidik bukanlah untuk membuat mereka cemas," tambah beliau.

EKOSISTEM SEMAKIN TERTEKAN
Mengenai keadaan ekosistem dunia, Prof Azizan meluahkan keluhan dengan menyatakan sumber ekosistem yang ada telah digunakan ke paras maksimum dengan penangkapan ikan berlebihan dan pemupusan kawasan besar hutan.
"Persoalannya ialah pada kedudukan tamadun manusia dengan penduduk dunia kira-kira enam bilion, banyak sumber asli bumi sedang digunakan. Tak cukup dengan itu, kita cetuskan pula pemanasan global. Berapa banyak lagi tekanan yang boleh diterima oleh bumi?" soalnya.
Menurut Prof Azizan, satu perkara yang sedang hangat dibincangkan ialah kemungkinan pemupusan manusia.
"Ada pihak berkata bumi, jika suhunya dinaikkan ke tahap yang tertentu, ia dapat menyesuaikan dirinya tetapi apakah manusia dapat menyesuaikan diri kepada ekosistem yang berubah?
"Apakah manusia akan pupus? Ini boleh berlaku. Lihat apa yang terjadi kepada dinosaur," jelasnya lagi.
Di sebalik impak negatif pemanasan global, Prof Azizan berpendapat terdapat juga perkara yang positif termasuk lebih banyak peluang untuk tenaga alternatif.
Beliau memberi contoh tenaga nuklear dan solar sebagai alternatif yang berdaya maju.
"Malaysia perlu meneroka tenaga nuklear. Ini kita perlu pelajari sendiri. Korea telah melakukannya. Satu lagi pilihan ialah kuasa solar. Kita juga menerima banyak cahaya matahari, kira-kira 300 hingga 400 watt satu meter persegi.
"Walau apa pun, kita memerlukan iltizam yang kuat. Ini perlu dituntut oleh orang ramai. Sudah tentunya mereka boleh membuat tuntutan sekiranya mereka tahu isu dan bagaimana isu itu mendatangkan impak kepada mereka," tegas Prof Azizan.

– BERNAMA

Popularity: 40% [?]

MEMBANTAH PROJEK PEMBINAAN LOJI JANA KUASA ARANG BATU 300MEGAWATT DI SEGUNTOR BAY SANDAKAN

Kenapa kita perlu membantah pembinaan loji jana kuasa ini?

1. Projek ini akan dibina berdekatan dengan:-

- Pusat Pemulihaaan orang utan Sepilok – 5KM

- Perkampunagn nelayan bertentangan dgn Seguntor Bay – lebih kurang 0.5KM

- Taman Mawar/ perumahan estate Sibuga , lebih 20,000 keluarga/penduduk – 3-4 KM

- Kawasan industry & perumahan Batu Sapi – 1 km

2. Kehidupan marine / laut di perkampungan nelayan amat indah, kilang arang batu ini sudah tentu akan merosakkan alam sekitar dan pemandangan yang indah ini selama-lamanya.

3. Hutan simpan & udara yang tercemar pasti menjejaskan kehidupan semulajadi orang utan & hidupan laut yang menjadi icon penting & tarikan pelancung ke Sandakan.

4. 300 megawatt loji jana kuasa arang baru ini akan membakar lebih kurang 1 juta ton arang batu setahun. Sedarkah kita apa kesan & pencemaran yang akan dihasilkan ?

Adakah kita akan mewariskan dunia yang amat panas kepada anak, cucu dan cicit kita?

KATAKAN TIDAK PADA LOJI JANA KUASA ARANG BATU, YA PADA UDARA & PERSEKITARAN BERSIH!!.

Tandatangan online atau untuk maklumat lanjut sila layari www.savesandakan.com

Bertindak Sekarang!!!

Popularity: 4% [?]