“A proposed coal-fired power plant that was originally scheduled for Lahad Datu had been moved to Sandakan, where its new proposed site incurred controversy with NGOs and activists saying it is too near the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary, among others. When the year closed, the State Government declared that no final decision had been made on the issue.”

30 Reasons Why Sabah Does Not Need a Coal-fired Power Plant

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and its subsidiary, Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB), have been ardently lobbying on behalf of an Independent Power Provider (IPP) called Lahad Datu Energy Sdn. Bhd. to set up a 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sabah since 2007. Having failed in their efforts to build the project in Lahad Datu, they are now focusing their attention in trying to move the plant to Sandakan.

Political leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), stakeholders, ordinary citizens and even TNB and SESB have spoken about the negative effects of coal-fired plants. They have voiced their concern regarding marine and forest ecology destruction, acid rain, biodiversity imbalance, mercury in food, health and welfare of future generations, depleting seafood source, global warming and climate change, destruction of famous tourism attraction sites, alternate and renewal energy options, economics of running a coal-fired fired plant and many other related issues.

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Popularity: 22% [?]

Chinese New Year Greeting From Sandakan Anti Coal Power Plant Action Committee.

Happy Chinese New Year

&

Gong Xi Fatt Chai

Popularity: 1% [?]

" CALL OFF THE PROJECT IMMEDIATELY "

" Although the results of the last general election in March 2008 had taught the BN coalition a lesson , the Government is still not firm when it comes to making decisions , he said, citing the proposal to set up a coal-fired power plant in Sandakan .

Most of the Sandakan people and also the environmental groups are strongly opposing the project and , therefore , the Government should call off the project immediately .

Nobody can deny that Sandakan is facing inadequate electricity supply , but we have other feasible alternatives for power sources .

After all , the Government has also been emphasising on the need and importance of protecting our environment all this while , …… "

Above statement made by LDP – Deputy President Datuk Chin Su Phin .    full text : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my:80/news.cfm?NewsID=62471

Popularity: 1% [?]

Coal plant cancellation among SAPP’s priorities

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) will work hard for Sabah’s autonomy and press for more efforts by the Government to insulate the State from the economic tsunami affecting other regions.

Its President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said SAPP would stress on greater use of Sabah’s own oil and natural gas for the benefit of the State.

"This includes the cancellation of the proposed coal-fired power plant in our beloved State. SAPP shall also press for non-racial politics and a fair deal for Malaysians in Sabah," he said in his message in conjunction with the Chinese New Year of the Golden Ox, Friday.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

"More discussions, forums and seminars on coal-fired power plant", said CASH DP Nordin

More Discussions, forums and seminars should be organized by the Government and Tenaga Nasional Berhad so that the people of Sandakan and environmental organisations could participate and understand the urgent need of a power generating plant that could produce almost no carbon emissions as part of the fight against global warming and to save our environment from destructions.

Many critics until today don’t understand as to why the relevant authorities chose coal-fired plant to generate electricity in the east coast instead of many other alternatives that are available.  Environmental and social concerns are the major issues that the proposed coal-fired plant in Sandakan being objected by environmental organizations and individuals.

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Datuk Yong offers help……….

A closed door meeting between President of SAPP, YB Datuk Yong and Chairman, Stephen Wong and members of the Sandakan Anti Coal Plant Action Committee was held on 17 January 2009 at the VIP Room, Hakka Association Hall, Sandakan. The fruitful meeting offered kindle of hope in addressing the Sandakan community’s concern and their outcry on the rejection of the coal fired power plant in Sandakan.

Datuk Yong empathized with the Committee of SACCPAC which represents 31 NGOs and community of Sandakan on their predicament and offered in identifying means of making it known at the Parliament through their party’s MPs at the next parliamentary sitting.

“Coal-fired power plant is the worst option that is being considered by TNB/SESB”, Datuk Yong said.

“Serious consideration must be given on the adoption of gas to run the power plant instead of coal in Sandakan or any where in Sabah,” he stressed.

The proposal to build the prohibitive pipeline from Kimanis to Bintulu is a poor proposition. Datuk Yong calls for the State Government to consider alternative renewable energy and gas being readily available from Sabah’s shore is the best option. Power from the proposed gas-fired power plant at Kimanis could be fed to the Eastern and Western Power Grids. Such consideration will alleviate the power supply woes of eastern and western parts of Sabah and reduces fears of pollution and toxic emissions for Sandakan from the proposed coal-fired power plant.

SACCPAC Chairman, Stephen Wong and members in deep discussion with Datuk Yong.

Stephen Wong hands over memorandum to Datuk Yong.

Datuk Yong stressing that: “SAPP is not in favour of the Sandakan Coal-fired Power Plant”

Popularity: 1% [?]

On 16th January 2009 , SACPPAC Chairman Stephen Wong with some members meet up with LDP-SDK MP VK Liew to understant his stand on the proposed coal plant.

"Having considered the extenuating circumstance surrounding the proposed coal plant in Sandakan, it is my considered opinion that the Sabah State Government must be consistent in its approach concerning the proposed coal plant.  In this regard, the proposed coal plant in Sandakan should meet with the same fate as that the Silam’s in Lahad Datu" Datuk VK Liew said.

Stephen Wong, Chairman SACPPAC,explains to reporters that the response expressed by Datuk VK Liew is simillar in nature and usually expressed by politician : "that the matter will be looked into".

Stephen Wong handing over SACPPAC’s memorandum to Datuk VK Liew.

SACPPAC flyer on the LDP-SDK office notice board.

Popularity: 1% [?]

More than 40,000 Residents from

Taman Mawar/Sibuga and Indah

Exposed to Potential Toxic Emissions !

RTM Sabah interviewed the Chairman of Sandakan Anti Coal Fired Power Plant Action Committee, Stephen Wong at the proposed POIC site at Seguntor, Sandakan where the proposed coal plant is expected to be sited.

Stephen Wong voiced his concern on the various adverse environmental effects associated with the proposed coal fired power plant’s site preparation, construction and stressed on the long term impacts from its operation. The potential environmental and health hazards associated with the plant’s toxic emissions and heavy metal wastes by-products add to the community’s concern and bane.

The close proximity of the proposed coal plant site looms within 3 kilometers and exposes 40,000 residents from densely populated nearby housing sites, to potential emissions and toxic wastes besides threatening thousands of villagers from surrounding 40 fishing villages. The infamous Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary nearby is also not spared.

The RTM crew and members of the Action Committee witnessed the vast destruction and degradation of some 300 acres of valuable mangroves which once form crucial barriers against coastal inundation, erosion and threat of tsunami are no longer present to serve such important roles. Important breeding grounds for marine life are being destroyed by the vast reclamation activities on such coastline which once ensured biological equilibrium. Dangers of tsunami and pollution from toxic wastes and emissions now endanger the very fabric of life of Sandakan.

The interview with JKK Chairman, En. Samsuddin of Kg. Bambangan and villager, En. Manja reinforced the Committee’s findings on the potential threats. Some of the regular water supply sources, the lifeline to the villagers for generations have been destroyed, altered or contaminated. The recent flooding which had never occurred at the village saw many of their homes inundated due to siltation as many parts of the bay are being made shallower due to siltation from the expansive hill slopes leveling and reclamation of the mangroves at the POIC site.

Manja sighed and shaked his head in despair, echoing the sentiments of many villagers.

“Our marine catch has now been reduced by 70% and our livelihood is now threatened.”

Catch the airing of the interview on RTM 1 at 3 p.m. on 27 January 2008.

Help Save Sandakan!

SACPAC Chairman, Stephen Wong urges all Ministers and MPs to reject the setting of the coal fired power plant in Sandakan for environmental and health reasons echoing YAB Datuk Musa’s earlier statement and decision on the rejection of the Silam Coal plant

Villager, En. Manja expressed his worries of the siting of the coal plant. The environment has been altered and impact being felt. The valuable water source is being destroyed!

“ We do not want the coal fired power plant near our kampung” stressed Manja.

JKK Chairman En. Samsuddin shared his concern on the impact being experienced from inundation of their homes, siltation of the bay and reducing catch from the sea.

“We do not want Coal Fired

Power Plant” !

______________________________________________________

Immeasuarble Destruction!

Eco-terrorists still at large.

Overview of 2^nd Phase vast land clearing and reclamation of mangroves at Seguntor. Note degradation and destroyed mangroves.

Once important mangroves coastline now reduced to heaps of waste wood.

Expansive degradation of landform and altered water source.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Sandakan Power Information (2009).

The following information was obtained during my recent visit to the Sandakan SESB Office on 06 January 2009:-

Power Plant Installed capacity Output capacity

55 MW

1. SESB at Batu Sapi Road ) 10.0 MW

2. SESB Mile 11 Labuk Road ) 4.3 MW

3. SESB Barge at Sg. Mowtas 38 MW Not operating

4. Libaran IPP at Jalan Datuk Tay  55 MW

5. SPC IPP at Batu Sapi Road  28 MW

——————————————————-

Currently available in Sandakan:  97.3 MW

NOTES:

1. Two small Biomass IPP power plants have already been constructed at Seguntor. They are expected to start supplying power in mid 2009. Each plant is capable of supplying 10 MW. So, latest by end of 2009, we should have additional 20 MW.

2. IOI, IJM and Sinora are presently using about 13 MW of power from SESB. All 3 of them are constructing their own Biomass power plants (totalling 35 MW). Therefore, by 2011 the 13 MW can be saved for supplying to other users.

3. Assume all the present plants remain operative, then during the next 2 to 3 years the Sandakan power supply capacity can be increased to 97.3 + 20 + 13 = 130.3 MW.

According to SESB, the present power demand in Sandakan is only about 90 MW.

Therefore, looking at Sandakan alone, we are not short of power supply at least for the next 2 to 3 years.

4. The rest of the east coast area i.e. Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sempona, their present demand is about 110 MW whereas their present supply capacity is only about 50 MW. The shortage of about 60 MW is met by West Coast vide the recently completed East-West grid passing through Sandakan.

By PETER LIEW CHAU-KEONG

07 Jan 2009

Popularity: 1% [?]

Popularity: 1% [?]