Save Sandakan

“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.

According to Daily Express of 1^st January 2009, “Pick of What Mattered Most in 2008”

“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.”

This news item was ranked 4^th among top ten events that stood up in 2008.

Here are 30 reasons why the proposed coal-fired plant should not be considered at all for anywhere in Sabah.

1.   If the proposal [for the coal-fired power plant] is given the go-ahead, it would be in conflict with one of the principles that would guide Sabah’s development under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) that is to ensure growth via environmental conservation. –

Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah – 3rd April 2008.

2.   While CASH is happy the [coal-fired power plant] project has been cancelled, the Government must strive to guarantee that no one in the future could reverse the State Cabinet’s decision. I am worried that this directive will not last long. –

Datuk Patrick Sindu, President, Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan (CASH) – 4^th April 2008.

3.    Petronas would set up a 300MW gas-powered plant in Kimanis and also come out with a master plan to set up downstream petroleum industry in Sabah. – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia – 1^st June 2008.

4.   Sooner of later we have to accept the fact and make a decision [on the coal-fired power plant] but what I am saying here is that we need power, but we want clean power. –

Datuk Masidi Manjun, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister – 12^th June 2008.

5.   The allocation of RM400 million for solar hybrid power project [for 122 rural schools in Sabah] came from the allocation of RM950 million to the Education Ministry, which was made available through the Ninth Malaysia Plan Midterm Review –

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussien, Minister of Education, Malaysia – 13^th July 2008.

6.  Maybe we should look into it, but not to be selfish, Bakun is already meant for Peninsular Malaysia (involving 415 miles of overland transmission lines, another 400 miles of submarine cables and further 285 miles of overland transmission cables to Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in Malaysia) [Total 1,100 miles] and the Sarawak state itself. Of Bakun’s whole 2,400MW capacity, 1,700MW is destined for Peninsular Malaysia, the rest for Sarawak. –

Dr. Aznan Ezraie Ariffin, Special Officer (Technical) to TNB Chief Executive Officer. – 13^th July 2008.

7.  Our political leaders should unite and fight for the people’s rights and protect them from the hazards of such [coal-fired power] plants. It is indeed nonsensical that our natural gas can flow to Bintulu, which is 500km away, but not to Sandakan, which is not even half the distance. –

Mr. Chang Kwok Kheng, President, Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce – 24^th July 2008.

8.  If it [coal-fired power plant] is harmful to Lahad Datu, why is it not harmful to Sandakan. Nowadays the world is trying to avoid this project, why still bring it into Sandakan? There is no reason for the plant to be built in Sandakan, a world-renowned eco-tourism site. –

Mr. Stephen Wong Tain Fatt, President, Sandakan Anti Coal-fired Power Plant Committee. – 26^th July 2008.

9.  Carbon-capture technology which can minimize health hazards is 15 to 20 years away and by that time the damage would have been done and sadly the burnt of it would be borne by children who now have no say in decision making. –

Mr. S.M. Muthu, Environmentalist – 27^th July 2008.

10.  Generally selection for the type of energy source for any power plant project is guided by several criteria. [Firstly] the energy or fuel source is readily available or can be made available at a reasonably competitive price throughout the duration of the plant’s operation (security of energy source supply). –

Encik Baharin Din, Managing Director, Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. – 27^th July 2008.

11.   It is very important for the Government to base on public opinion in this particular [coal-fired power plant project] issue. We have to listen to the public. What we say is not important, what the public think is important. The majority view. –

Datuk V K Liew, Federal Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, Member of Parliament, Sandakan and President, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) - 28^th July 2008.

12.   I think the State Government needs to get environmental experts, who have no interest in the project, whose findings will be acceptable to the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the people. –

Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Deputy Chief Minister and State Infrastructure Minister. – 31^st July 2008.

13.   Low levels of nitrogen oxides in the air [from coal-fired power plants] can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, possibly causing you to cough and experience shortness of breath, tiredness, and nausea. Exposure to low levels can also result in fluid build-up in lungs 1 or 2 days after exposure. Breathing high levels of nitrogen oxides can cause rapid burning, spasms, and swelling of tissues in the throat and upper respiratory tact, reduced oxygenation of body tissues, a build-up of fluid in your lungs, and death. –

Sabah Environmental Protection Association. (SEPA) – 16^th August 2008.

14.   Most countries like Germany, UK, Europe, US and Japan use zero discharge system. They do this by using the closed water cooling system which re-circulates the same body of water over cooling towers and for reuse and so it involves no discharge of toxic waste water into the sea. –

Mr. Gary Yapp, Head of Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA), Tawau. – 14^th September 2008.

15.   I totally sympathise with the energy needs of the East Coast but being an environmentalist, I am asking diplomatically to to allow the people have a democratic decision on this matter. –

Ms. Nilakrisna James, Head of Sabah Law Association’s Climate Change Committee. – 4^th October 2008.

16.   The state Government’s rejection of the Lahad Datu site [for the coal-fired power plant] in April this year has effectively made it illogical for anybody to justify Sandakan as a site. Sandakan is only two hours’ drive from Lahad Datu. –

Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, President, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) – 8^th October 2008.

17.   Yes, especially for Sabah, solar energy is very promising. Sabah may have much sunshine, but many have cast doubts on its capture it. Of course you can capture it. That is happening more. But the thing is investment is more expensive. It all depends on the scale of the project. Some projects can be very interesting. –

Mr. Antonio Garcia, Embassy of Spain Economic and Commercial Counsellor, on his visit to Sabah – 16^th October 2008.

18.   Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) says it cannot reduce the electricity tariff as coal price, which accounts for 60 percent of its power generating cost, has remained above US$75 (RM250) per metric tonne. 60 percent of our power was generated by its gas power plants and 30 percent coal, but in terms of costs, coal took up 60 percent and gas 40 percent. –

Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). – 17^th October 2008.

19.   Air pollution is reaching critical limits. Any very soon, because of it, our children won’t be able to enjoy the simplest of joys like playing in the park. Remember, every time we permit open burning and toxic smoke emission, we pollute the air and reduce one happy, carefree day in the lives of these innocents. –

Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, Series of Advertisements. – 21^st October 2008 onwards.

20.   Malaysia will not face power shortage by 2012 given the nation’s high electricity reserve margin. The current 42 percent reserve is expected to rise by 5 percent to 47 percent when the Jimah power plant in Negeri Sembilan starts operations. –

Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, Federal Energy, Water and Communications Minister. – 23^rd October 2008.

21. The time has come to really develop the State’s capacity to manage its protected areas. This is something that we haven’t thought for a long time and there is a need to actually develop the capacity to manage our protected areas. – Dr. Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation Director, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. – 23^rd October 2008.

22.   While many towns are relatively well supplied [with electricity], rural areas – especially remote, isolated, and dispersed riverine of hill communities – face dim prospects of being connected to the national grid. –

Ms. Lilei Chow, United Nations Development Programme. – 26^th October 2008.

23. We have information that SESB has booked and enblocked 500 acres at the POIC site in Seguntor Bay, Sandakan, just 6 km. from the Sepilok Orangutan Centre. We want to know why SESB is so secretive about it after they had promised a transparent EIA process because they had steadfastly denied a suitable site had been identified. –

Mr. Wong Tatt, President, Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA). – 2^nd November 2008.

24.   Sabah is well known for its big and magnificent forests. We have Mount Kinabalu and we have beautiful beaches which have become tourist attractions. With the opening of this park here in Sandakan Rainforest Park, it surely would become another popular spot for Sandakan folks to exercise and relax. –

Datuk Peter Pang En Yin, State Minister of Youth and Sports. – 2^nd November 2008.

25.   From a simple geo scientific point of view, the question is not will renewable energy be ever able to replace the conventional forms of energy production, the question is when will they be replaced. –

Prof. Dr. Jorgen Bohner, Institute of Geography, Hamburg University during his visit to Sabah. 4^th November 2008.

26.   I am committed to the cause of the party and the people of Sabah to see the Petronas gas pipeline from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu, Sarawak is scrapped. Firstly, as a feed stock for downstream activities (in Sabah) and it can also be used to generate electricity so that we can have energy security for Sabah. – Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and President United Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (UPKO). – 7^th November 2008.

27.   Lower Kinabatangan-Segama is also the largest of the five Ramsar sites in Malaysia. The international Ramsar certificate is the gold standard for wetland conservation. In this case, we are not talking about exploitation but more on conservation, biodiversity enhancement, research, looking after the wildlife there as well as what are the prescriptions needed in this management plan to ensure the sanctity, quality of the management and quality of the forest will not deteriorate because of man’s intervention. – Datuk Sam Mannan, State Forestry Director. – 8^th November 2008.

28.   The plan to set up a petrochemical industry in Sabah was not an afterthought or sudden but the result of a detailed study since 2006 and one in which the State Government was fully involved. So far as utilization of gas for Sabah, we (Petronas Gas Berhad) have already entered into a joint-venture with Yayasan Sabah to build a 300 MW combined cycle (gas-based) power plant. This will be ready by the time gas is landed in Kimanis. –

Tan Sri Mohd. Hassan Marican, President and Chief Executive Officer, Petronas Bhd. – 16^th November 2008.

29.   The two major challenges Malaysia is facing today are global warming and depletion of natural resources. Of the two, climate change needs priority attention. Global warming to the planet earth is like fever to human being who will not feel well when body temperature increases from 30 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees. –

Dr. Abu Hanifah Azit, Principal Engineer of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). – 27^th November 2008.

30.   The Government needs to focus on the overall concept of tourism, with better promotion of the tourism products in the local and international belt. Sabah has the capacity to project itself as one of the exotic tourist destinations not only in Malaysia but in Southeast Asian region. –

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia. – 30^th November 2008.

All the above statements – and many, many more – against coal-fired power plants were published in national and local press as per dates mentioned.

Of course there were some articles written and comments made regarding the so-called “clean coal technology” power plants. However Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman was quoted as saying “I know some say with today’s technology, the proposed plant is safe and clean but some experts also disagree”.

Most of the stories in favour of the coal-fired power plant are rhetoric of same old tall tales of how other countries are using coal-fired plants for power generation. However they cleverly omit the negative effects of burning coal and the damage done to the environment and people’s health.

In spite of all the above given reasons by our leaders, experts and stakeholders, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. are still trying their level best to put up the coal-fired power plant for the benefit of some hidden hands. It will be sad day for Sabah if TNB / SESB succeed in their quest.

Gengadharan Govinda Pillai

Tel: 013-8837370

24^th January 2009

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