Mr. Stephen Wong invite EVERYONE to come forward for a dialog & discussion with Mr. Wong Tak regarding the above DEIA report soon to be released .

Please come forward now to show your support before its too late and regretted why you didn’t come forward to help.

Date : 19th May 2010 ( Wednesday )

Time : 7.30 pm sharp

venue : Chinese Chamber of Commerce , Sandakan .

Thank You

Regards

www.savesandakan.com

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"Coal’s Assault on Human Health"

Washington, DC -  November 18, 2009 – Physicians for Social Responsibility has released a groundbreaking medical report, “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” which takes a new look at the devastating impacts of coal on the human body. Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health.

This report looks at the cumulative harm inflicted by those pollutants on three major body organ systems: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system. The report finds that coal pollution affects all major body organ systems and contributes to four of the five top causes of mortality in the US:  heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

"The findings of this report are clear: while the U.S. relies heavily on coal for its energy needs, the consequences of that reliance for our health are grave," said Alan H. Lockwood, MD FAAN, a principal author of the report and a professor of neurology at the University at Buffalo.

"These stark conclusions leave no room for doubt or delay," says Kristen Welker-Hood, SCD MSN RN, PSR’s director of environment and health programs.  "The time has come for our nation to establish a health-driven energy policy that replaces our dependence on coal with clean, safe alternatives.  Business as usual is extracting a deadly price on our health.  Coal is no longer an option."

Also participating in the report’s release were the American Lung Association and the American Nurses Association.

Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. This report looks at the cumulative harm inflicted by those pollutants on three major body organ systems:  the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system. The report also considers coal’s contribution to global warming, and the health implications of global warming.

Viewed in this way, the totality of coal’s impact on health becomes clear. Coal pollutants affect all major body organ systems and contribute to four of the five leading causes of mortality in the U.S.:  heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

• Respiratory Effects: Air pollutants produced by coal combustion act on the respiratory system, contributing to serious health effects including asthma, lung disease and lung cancer, and adversely affect normal lung development in children.
• Cardiovascular Effects: Pollutants produced by coal combustion lead to cardiovascular disease, such as arterial occlusion (artery blockages, leading to heart attacks) and infarct formation (tissue death due to oxygen deprivation, leading to permanent heart damage), as well as cardiac arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. Exposure to chronic air pollution over many years increases cardiovascular mortality. 
• Nervous System Effects: Studies show a correlation between coal-related air pollutants and stroke.  Coal pollutants also act on the nervous system to cause loss of intellectual capacity, primarily through mercury.  Researchers estimate that between 317,000 and 631,000 children are born in the U.S. each year with blood mercury levels high enough to reduce IQ scores and cause lifelong loss of intelligence.  
• Global Warming: Even people who do not develop illnesses from coal pollutants will find their health and wellbeing impacted due to coal’s contribution to global warming.  The discharge of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere associated with burning coal is a major contributor to global warming and its adverse effects on health and wellbeing worldwide, such as heat stroke, malaria, declining food production, scarce water supplies, social conflict and starvation.

In addition to the impacts from pollutants emitted during coal combustion, the report pinpoints negative health consequences at each step of the coal life cycle.  Coal mining leads U.S. industries in fatal injuries and is associated with chronic health problems among miners.  In addition to the miners themselves, communities near coal mines may be adversely affected by mining operations due to the effects of blasting, washing, leakage from "slurry ponds," the collapse of abandoned mines, damage done to streams and waterways, and the dispersal of dust from coal trucks during transportation. Slurry injected underground can release arsenic, barium, lead and manganese into nearby wells, contaminating local drinking water supplies.  The storage of post-combustion wastes from coal plants also threatens human health.  There are 584 coal ash dump sites in the U.S, and toxic residues have migrated into water supplies at dozens of sites. While every stage of the coal life cycle impacts human health, the combustion phase exacts the greatest toll.

"Given the disease burden associated with coal as well as its contribution to global warming, it is essential that we establish energy policies based on a fundamental commitment to human health and the health of generations to come," said Peter Wilk, MD, the Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Based on the report’s findings, PSR issued five policy recommendations:

• Cut emissions of carbon dioxide as deeply and as swiftly as possible, with the objective of reducing atmospheric carbon levels to 350 parts per million, through 1) strong climate and energy legislation that establishes hard caps on global warming pollution coming from coal power plants, and 2) strict enforcement of the Clean Air Act.  
• Reduce fossil fuel power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides so that all localities are in attainment for national ambient air quality standards.
• Establish a standard, based on Maximum Achievable Control Technology, for mercury and other hazardous air pollutant emissions from electrical generation.
• End all new construction of coal-fired power plants, so as to avoid increasing health-endangering emissions of carbon dioxide, as well as criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants. 
• Develop the capacity to generate electricity from clean, safe, renewable sources so that existing coal-fired power plants may be phased out without compromising the nation’s ability to meet its energy needs.

Download the report:
Executive Summary (pdf)
Full report (pdf)

Download by chapter:
Front Matter (pdf)
Chapter 1 Introduction (pdf)
Chapter 2 Life Cycle of Coal (pdf)
Chapter 3 Respiratory Effects (pdf)
Chapter 4 Cardiovascular Effects (pdf)
Chapter 5 Neurological Effects (pdf)
Chapter 6 Global Warming (pdf)
Chapter 7 Policy Recommendations (pdf)

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (PSR) – Founded in 1961 by physicians concerned about the impact of nuclear proliferation, PSR shared the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize with International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War for building public pressure to end the nuclear arms race.  Since 1991, when PSR formally expanded its work by creating its environment and health program, PSR has addressed the issues of global warming and the toxic degradation of our environment.  PSR educates and advocates for  policies to curb global warming, ensure clean air, generate a sustainable energy future, prevent human exposures to toxic substances, and minimize toxic pollution of air, food, and drinking water.  More information is available at www.psr.org.

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http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/118711

Joe Fernandez
Dec 1, 09

The Sabah government has warned a coalition of environmentalists against continuing to publicise their anti-coal option campaign, insisting that they should "use the proper forum" to express dissatisfaction.

Since the weekend, Green Surf (Sabah Unite to Re-power the Future) and Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) have been selectively leaking the proposed terms of reference (TOR) for the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) on the coal plant.

State minister for tourism, culture and environment Masidi Manjun (left) today issued a thinly-veiled threat, proffered as "friendly advice".

"Green Surf or Sepa should consider whether it is appropriate for them to air their differences (on the coal plant) in public and through the media, even before the TOR have been finalised," he said.

He conceded that "it is fair for the public to have access to the final TOR" but noted that these are still being drawn up at a series of meetings in Putrajaya and Kota Kinabalu.

"They (Green Surf) can forward their opinions and grouses during the next meeting (in Kota Kinabalu).

"Perhaps it would serve their interests more effectively if they refrain from making public, at this point of time, every one of their disagreements on the TOR. Instead, they should concentrate on arguing their points during the meetings."

Masidi stressed that the invitation to Green Surf to attend the meetings is proof that the state government values their input.

"To engage in the media on the TOR even before these are finalised would make it even more difficult for the various parties to engage in a professional exchange of opinions.

"All parties should attend the meetings with an open mind. They should be ready to accept with humility that their preconceived notions on certain aspects may not necessarily hold water."

Masidi clarified that the DEIA report would cover water quality, wetlands, ecology, land use, solid waste management, hydrology, drainage, flood analysis, landscape and visual aspects.

Other issues are the terrestrial ecology, flora, fauna, biodiversity, conservation, marine ecology, fisheries, coastal process, phytoplankton, coral reef and sea grass, climate, air quality, air quality dispersion modeling, environmental cost benefit analysis, public and workers’ health, environmental health risk assessment, quantitative risk and hazard assessment emergency response plan, coastal hydraulic and hydrodynamics, and thermal and chlorine dispersion.

He denied Green Surf’s allegation that the TOR would be filled with "predetermined and conclusive statements without scientific backing, facts and figures".

Shortcomings detected

Green Surf remained undeterred by Masidi’s "damage control" move, maintaining that "the TOR is sub-standard and totally unacceptable".

"The TOR appears to ignore the long-term impact of the proposed coal plant’s emission into the pristine Darvel Bay," said Sepa president Wong Tack.

He disclosed that Green Surf had three representatives – including himself – at a Department of Environment meeting in Putrajaya on Nov 24 and discovered that the TOR are being drawn up without external consultation.

"Given the various shortcomings in the TOR, these should have been rejected then and there in Putrajaya," stressed Wong.

"We are very concerned about the limited scope of study in the TOR. These should not have contained conclusive statements."

Wong also alleged that the TOR does not comply with the Sabah Development Corridor planning requirements or with other state guidelines, such as shoreline development, fisheries and tourism.

"The TOR also acknowledges that no study was carried out on the cumulative effects of the coal plant emissions over a five to 10-year period," he said.

"Even state government representatives have voiced concern on the adverse impact of the emissions on the Tun Sakaran Marine Park and the world-renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan over the long term."

Green Surf alleged that a key weakness of the TOR is that these were based on climate conditions in Tawau, and not the proposed site near Lahad Datu, 200km away.

Tawau was the second site selected after the initial location in Sandakan was abandoned on a wave of public protests.

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He said the proposed site of the coal-fired plant is at Kg Sinakut, about one kilometer from the Sahabat Resort. He said

Kg Sinakut is part of a totally pristine coastline 40km long, stretching between Tunku and Dent Haven around the eastern most

tip of Dent Peninsula. The Dent Haven is Sabah’s last wilderness frontier.

The likely destruction of the environment in the Dent Peninsula should be sufficient ground for the Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) to report the negative impact of the coal-fired plant in the area, and thereby give a strong recommendation for

the Government to reject the proposed coal-fired plant altogether

I am not sure, however, whether Datuk Peter Chin’s assurance that Tenaga Nasional (TNB) would be using the highest

standard coal on par with that used by coal-fired plants in developed countries is sufficient to allay our fears about this known

polluter of the environment. He is the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

But does this position gives him the authority to give assurance about coal-fired plants? Both China and the USA are said

to be dismantling their coal fired plants, and it is, I believe because of the pollution caused by the use of coal.

Let us not become another great “offender”

to destroy mother nature – such as the ozone layer and closer to home – our “pristine coastlines and wilderness”, our environment…………………..

 

 

BY : Tan Sir Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Herman Luping

dhluping@yahoo.com

Daily Express , Comment & Analysis . Sunday 11th Oct 2009 .

Warming : All nations are guilty

THE invitation by the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) Mananging Director to members of the public to freely express their

views regarding the proposed setting up of a 300MW coal-fired power plant in Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu is most welcomed.

As expected the first to rise to the invitation was Sabah Environmental Protection Society (Sepa) through the Society’s

President, Wong Tact. He Expressed grave concern over the proposed coal-fired plant; and not just because of the overall

deleterious effect of the plant to the atmosphere, but also the likely adverse effect on the “totally pristine” wilderness coastline

in the Dent Peninsula.

He said the proposed site of the coal-fired plant is at Kg Sinakut, about one kilometer from the Sahabat Resort. He said

Kg Sinakut is part of a totally pristine coastline 40km long, stretching between Tunku and Dent Haven around the eastern most

tip of Dent Peninsula. The Dent Haven is Sabah’s last wilderness frontier.

The likely destruction of the environment in the Dent Peninsula should be sufficient ground for the Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) to report the negative impact of the coal-fired plant in the area, and thereby give a strong recommendation for

the Government to reject the proposed coal-fired plant altogether.

The invitation by the Managing Director of SESB to members of the public to give their views on the proposed coal-fired

plant in Lahad Datu, is a responsible action on his part, and should be lauded. He is responding to the call made by the Prime                  

Minister. YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who, on his visit to Sabah recently, proposed the setting of the coal-fired plant to

generate electricity in the east coast region.

That was an open invitation by the Prime Minister, a suggestion and not an order. He expected those concerned with

carrying out the suggestion to act responsibly. And Baharin had indeed acted responsibly.

I am not sure, however, whether Datuk Peter Chin’s assurance that Tenaga Nasional (TNB) would be using the highest

standard coal on par with that used by coal-fired plants in developed countries is sufficient to allay our fears about this known

polluter of the environment. He is the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

But does this position gives him the authority to give assurance about coal-fired plants? Both China and the USA are said

to be dismantling their coal fired plants, and it is, I believe because of the pollution caused by the use of coal.

Let us briefly discuss at the way world leaders are responding to the problem of global warming which is now agreed as

responsible for the many environmental changes taking place in the world today.

Scientists tell us that global warming is responsible for the climate changes now taking place in many parts of the world.

The long drought affecting areas in the African continent, while at the same time, the flooding with almost biblical proportion in

other parts of the world are all due to global warming.

The ice caps in both the northern and southern polar regions are melting and so too are the glaciers of Greenland,

New Zealand etc. The melting of the ice caps is raising the level of the ocean water and many coastlines of low lying islands in

the pacific have also disappeared, covered in water.

Scientists also tell us that the overall cause of global warming is due to the destruction or depletion of the ozone layer in

the stratosphere. The ozone layer is the “belt” of matter which covers the earth from the direct impact of the sun rays, gamma rays,

they said. The ozone layer have gradually depleted causing “huge holes” over the north and south poles stratosphere. The

depletion or destruction of the ozone layer is due to the excessive emission of carbon dioxide (CO) into the atmosphere.

We have apparently unwittingly caused the emission of CO because of man’s great stride in developing comfortable

living standards in society, with the introduction of motor vehicles by the millions, refrigerators and also coal-fired plants to

generate electricity- all for man’s comfort! The impact of all these inventions is the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

which started from the first day of the “industrial revolution” in the West, more than a hundred years ago. The three great

“offenders” for emitting millions of cubic metres of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere are our vehicles which are driven with the

use of oil or gas, the million of refrigerators which are also using harmful gas to the atmosphere and yes, coal-fired electrical plants!

Every country in the world is guilty of the offence, but the biggest offenders are apparently the United States and China.

These two countries are the biggest consumers of oil and gas today.

For the United States, the world’s major superpower today, its offence insofar as the emitter of carbon dioxide into the

atmosphere started a long time ago. For China, meanwhile, it only began recently as the country started to develop into a world

superpower both militarily and economically. The country is fast becoming a great rival to the USA in there fields! But in the

process, it has also contributed greatly to the huge emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. For China, it is said that the

chief “offenders” are refrigerators now found in millions of homes, and also the large number of coal-fired plants to generate

electricity. The carbon dioxide emitted from these two “offenders” are so big that if they are not stopped now, China could

threaten the very existence of our planet today, we are told by scientists.

The presence of both the Presidents of the United States and China at the recent opening of the United Nations General

assembly was most welcomed by other nations, particularly when both leaders came, willing and promising to address the problem

in their respective country. President Obama of the United States spoke at length about global warming and other important subjects

that affect the world today. President Obama is a great orator and was convincing in his speech. But probably the most significant

was his stance and in turn, the USA in the world stage today. Whereas past Presidents tended to “preach” and had an adversarial

stance, Obama was more conciliatory and called for a concerted effort to tackle the problems of the world – including global

warming.

President Hu’s speech meanwhile, was welcomed for his promise to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide in his country.

Both the United States and China have the largest number of coal-fired plants. Scientists have been pointing their fingers

at the huge emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and in turn harming the ozone layer. Both countries have promised to

reduce these plants and replace them with less harmful plants. Today too, cars are slowly getting into the use of electric power to

propel them. Both US and Japanese car manufacturers are producing prototypes. I have seen them. I think in time, all cars will use

electric power in the future! And the use of coal to generate electricity would also be a thing of the past. All in all, planet earth –

and hence the world we live in would be safe and its atmosphere intact and clean. Let us hope that we in Malaysia, and more

particularly in Sabah, would take heed of the mistakes made by other countries in the use of coal for power. Indeed, we see a

television advertisement showing the good impact for using the cable car from the KLIA to Kuala Lumpur. We are told in the

advertisement that if a passenger uses the cable car everyday for a year, the number of cars (taxis included) would be reduced

by 3.5 million. The emission of a great percentage of carbon dioxide is thus reduced! Let us not become another great “offender”

to destroy mother nature – such as the ozone layer and closer to home – our “pristine coastlines and wilderness”, our environment.

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He said the JPM was the most important department involved directly and indirectly in ensuring that conservation and preservation of this biodiversity was carried out and in raising the awareness of the society and those responsible of the importance of protecting the country’s treasure………..

Muhyiddin Wants Priority Given To Environmental Conservation. October 05, 2009 11:33 AM

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 5 (Bernama) — Environmental conservation and preservation must be given priority not only in terms of policy and programmes but also in the efforts implemented, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Monday.
The deputy prime minister said although Malaysia had an action plan for this, the levelling of hills and mountains and pollution of rivers and lakes still occurred because of the irresponsible attitude of some parties.
“Malaysia is said to be one of the 10 top nations rich in biodiversity, with such high value, and special attention should be given to ensure that the environment is constantly protected and preserved,” he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) here.
He said the JPM was the most important department involved directly and indirectly in ensuring that conservation and preservation of this biodiversity was carried out and in raising the awareness of the society and those responsible of the importance of protecting the country’s treasure.
Putrajaya, he said, could serve as a model after attracting tourists by the droves with its beauty not only in terms of its infrastructure but also its environment, especially the clean and unpolluted lakes.
Muhyiddin said not only must beauty and environment be maintained, it must be upgraded, especially parking facilities, which cause traffic jams that should not occur in Putrajaya.
“Environment is a serious issue and world leaders are expected to discuss serious issues like climate change because people nowadays are less concerned about preserving the environment, not only in Malaysia but throughout the world,” he said.
He added the civil servants can set an example by becoming role models for the future generation through the preservation of Fiona and flora.
“We must safeguard the serenity and cleanliness of the environment, reduce green house gas, reduce pollution, conserve energy, especially in government buildings, and that can help reduce the expenditure of the government,” he said.
The issue of collection and disposal of rubbish and solid waste effectively has yet to be resolved and many are still not aware of the importance and value of keeping their places clean.
Muhyiddin said the recent earth-quake in Padang, Indonesia is also a reminder of how important it is to preserve and conserve the environment and how fortunate Malaysians are for not living in fear of earth-quakes because Malaysia is not situated in the ‘Ring of Fire’ (the Pacific Islands arcs where most of the world’s volcanic action is involved).
– BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=444420

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Sepa voices concern

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Environmental Protection Society (Sepa) Wednesday expressed grave concern over Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) plan to build the controversial coal-fired power plant at a “totally pristine” wilderness coastline in Dent Peninsula.

“From our recent field visit, we understand that Kampung Sinakut, just a stone’s throw (one kilometre or so) from Sahabat Resort, is the proposed site for the 300MW plant.

“Kg Sinakut is part of a totally pristine coastline 40km long, stretching between Tunku and Dent Heaven around the eastern-most tip of Dent Peninsula,” said its President Wong Tack (pic).

“This is Sabah’s last wilderness frontier,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Lapping this coastline are kilometres of snow-white sandy beaches, according to Wong……………….

“You look out to Darvel Bay or the Sulu Sea, you would be staring at the deep blue sea with corals lining the sea beds. This is Sabah’s rich lobster ground. Restaurants in Kota Kinabalu get their lobster orders from here,” he said.

“Sabah Fisheries officials have said Darval Bay is the only remaining pristine sea in Sabah and this is the reason why it has been selected as the seaweed production centre in the country,” he added.

“The whole marine ecosystem here form part of the Indo-Pacific region known by marine scientists as the epi-centre of global marine biodiversity, that is, where diversity of marine organisms is the highest in the world,” Wong noted.

“Coral diversity is so concentrated it prompted Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines to form the Coral Triangle Initiative to protect it,” he said.

“Once set up, the plant will draw millions of litres of pure seawater every day, then inject chlorine into it to kill organisms like barnacles to prevent their growth on the inner surfaces of the cooler’s condenser pipes so that it won’t be clogged.

Then millions of litres of these chlorinated water will be discharged back to the sea every single day, every week, every month and every year for the next century perhaps and what will happen to this pristine sea when it is all over?” Wong asked.

“TNB and SESB (Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd) should know that this kind of area has to be protected but instead they want to move into the most pristine coastline to set up one of the dirtiest industries that we know.

This is insane, for anybody to propose such a highly polluting power plant in a pristine wilderness,” he said.

The location was disclosed and announced by the District Officer during a meeting with the village people, called just a day before Ramadan, claimed Wong.

“The location was picked without prior consultation with the village folks.

We understand that they have been told to relocate.

“The feeling is not good. They are worried and upset. They are asking why they impose it to the ‘orang kampung’ after Sandakan and Silam had rejected it and are strongly against it because they say their livelihood depends on a good coastline where they can fish, eat what they catch and sell the extra.

This is their livelihood,” he said, adding, “we heard comments like ‘Orang kampung bukan manusia kah?’ (Are villagers not human?).”

The third point about it is the location is next to the 120,000-hectare Tabin Wildlife Reserve where they are going to start an ambitious fenced-up Rhino breeding programme in the natural forests, said Wong.

“They will argue clean coal technology but just observe what they do at night when they open the valves of the chimneys and fine coal ash is sent billowing into the atmosphere,” he said.

“This fine ash is not dry but oily in nature. When it settles on the canopy of a forest like Tabin, they will stick to the leaves and impede photosynthesis and we are very concerned that maybe 10 years or more down the road, it will gradually sicken a major conservation forest like Tabin,” Wong pointed out.

In addition, it is also close to one of the biggest Ramsar sites in Malaysia. “Clearly this is a statewide issue,” Wong contended.

“Eco tourism is big stuff in Sabah and this may tarnish Sabah’s green image, effectively blocking investment in green technologies, green employment and green development,” he said.

“The sad part is this happens when everybody is talking about renewables, with US President Barrack Obama taking the lead declaring the US is no longer a bystander in climate change but is investing US$80 billion in green technologies,” he added.

“We are also puzzled why locate the plant in such a secluded area when it will cost another RM200 million to build just the transmission lines to deliver power to Lahad Datu,” said Wong.

“SESB has often argued that dependence on West-East coast transmission grid risk security of power supply should the single lines get damaged. If that be so, why now suddenly such transmission risk from Felda to Lahad Datu and 300km to Tawau or Sandakan is no more an issue?” he asked.

“The fact is studies worldwide show blackouts are seldom caused by damage to transmission lines but more to inappropriate design problems.

Sabah had only two statewide blackouts in history, one of which was caused by an old tree falling and snapping high tension wires near Pangi hydro plant and the other due to metal thieves dismantling a transmission tower because SESB did not use one-way bolts which would have otherwise made it impossible for anyone to unscrew anything,” Wong said.

“But they argue the Government is willing to spend, but this is public money. Why not instead use the money to complete the Keningau-Tawau transmission loop and hook the 300MW Kimanis gas power plant and the 180MW Ulu Tomani hydro dam to that there will be about an extra 500MW of electricity that can be delivered to the East Coast,” Wong asserted.

“In addition to that, Ranhill at KKIP is building some extra 190MW gas power turbines which will be ready by the end of next year while the Kimanis gas power plant can easily be increased to 750MW and similarly in Ranhill,” Wong argued.

Given this situation, Sepa is calling for a public forum to look into all the alternative energy options before TNB and SESB propose the EIA study at Felda to fulfil the promise made by Datuk Masidi Manjun at a forum organised by SESB at Sutera Magellan Resort two years ago, appealed Wong.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my:80/news.cfm?NewsID=67918

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Sepa chairman Wong Tack said: “Sepa is ready and willing to meet up with the prime minister to get his clarification on his announcement.”

He was commenting on a statement by Najib who was quoted as saying in Tawau on Sunday that the frequent power blackout in Tawau would be solved soon with the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, as an alternative measure besides buying more power generators.

Wong said that Najib attended the Bali Climate Change Summit 2009 where he committed to join in and support international efforts to fight climate change and global warming.

“Our prime minister also attended CTI (Coral Triangle Initiative) Summit between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in May 2009. Malaysia committed herself by contributing RM1 billion to support the initiative of the group,” said Wong.

“With the prime minister’s 1Malaysia concept, ‘People First, Performance Now’, we strongly believe that he would listen to the voices of the people as there is strong objection from the people of Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan.

“Even some component parties of BN and NGOs came out openly to object to the proposal to build the 300 megawatt plant in any part of Sabah,” continued Wong.

Wong also said that the Felda scheme is still within Sabah and the people had made themselves very clear that they do not welcome any coal-fired plant in Sabah.”

Meanwhile, chairman of Sandakan Anti-Coal Action Committee, Stephen Wong, regretted the final decision to build the coal-fired plant in Sahabat, Lahad-Datu as announced by the prime minister.

Stephen said his committee was sad and asked: “Did the government really listen to the people? We hope that the present government would seriously reconsider and not do anything that is harmful to our future generation and to be cursed in due course.”

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=58266

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the power plant was necessary to overcome the serious electricity supply problem in Sabah

Najib also said that the frequent power supply disruption in Tawau would be solved soon with the construction of a coal-powered plant in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, as an alternative measure, besides buying more power generators.

“There are still many areas in Sabah including its east coast region which are experiencing power supply disruptions. Therefore, the government will send a power generator from Sime Darby to Sabah in December, besides setting up two more power plants in the state as a long-term measure.”

“It was planned for Lahad Datu and Sandakan but they did not want it (situated there), so as the minister-in-charge of Felda, we will do it in Felda Sahabat or Sabahans will not get enough electricity supply,” he said.

The move to initially set up a 300MW coal plant in Silam near Lahad Datu was rejected by the state government following protests. It was then proposed that it be situated in Sandakan, but this was also met with protest, urging the government to use green technology or other alternative power sources

Najib also called on the state’s leaders to take care of the people and be close to them to ensure that the BN government continued to be accepted by the people and remained strong. ………….

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/14/nation/4710312&sec=nation

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=440188

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Dear readers,

SEPA Sandakan ( Sandakan Chapter of Sabah Environmental Protection Association ) will be organising a Walk for the Environment inconjunction with World Environment Day.

All are invited. Let us all UNITE against Climate Change.

The program is as below:

Date : Sunday, 24 May 2009

Location  : Sandakan Town Padang

• 7-8 am.: Registration and sale of items
• 8.45 am : Welcome address
• 9.00 am : Flag off by MPS President
• 9-11:45 am :  Walk through town, sim sim and back to town padang
• 12 noon : Ends

Please spare the time and bring along your family, friends to support this noble cause save our environment save SANDAKAN  ; Save for our future generation.

Make it your commitment today!

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