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SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak could have been misinformed, or misquoted by the media with regards to his announcement that the decision of the government on the building of a 300 megawatt coal-fired plant in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu was final, said Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa).

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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The Government has given the green light for the controversial coal-fired power plant to be set up in the Felda Sahabat scheme about 100km from Lahad Datu.

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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People of Sabah – Stop dreaming/wishful thinking: Using coal doesn’t mean your electricity bill will be cheaper!!

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (5347) posted one third drop in net profit before foreign exchange (forex) translation in the first nine months as it had to pay more for coal.

Net profit for the nine months to May 31 2009 was RM1.69 billion while revenue rose 18.4 per cent to RM21.32 billion, largely due to two tariff reviews in July 2008 and March this year.

Nevertheless, he said TNB will seek to review its tariffs “up or down” if the prices of gas and coal move likewise.

[ Meaning: If coal gets too expensive, TNB will try to pass the costs over to the consumers/ask the consumers to pay for it, rather than just let it eats up TNB’s profit margin. ]

Leo Moggie said TNB is able to secure lower coal prices in the third quarter at about US$80 (US$1 = RM3.55) per tonne. But it still had to pay a higher contracted coal price for the nine months at an average of US$94.3 a tonne…….read more below :

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Kota Kinabalu: The Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) has urged the State Government to seriously consider acquiring an 80 per cent stake in Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and take over the management of Sabah’s power supply.

"It is proven that TNB is incapable of looking after the welfare and interests of the people in Sabah. It is not right for TNB to make billions of ringgit yearly while forgetting about its social duty and commitment," said Secretary General, Stephen Wong Tien Fatt.

He said his statement was based on a Maybank investment analyst that TNB is optimistic that it would achieve RM10 billion profit for the third quarter of this year. TNB made RM4.7 billion in 2007 and RM3.02 billion in 2008.

"The residents of Sabah, particularly Sandakan, have been seriously affected by the threats of constant power cuts for at least a decade. The only body we could turn to is SESB, which claimed to be the problem solver in this matter.

"Yet SESB has repeatedly proved its failure and incompetence in solving the problem of power shortage in Sabah all this while," he said in a statement here Tuesday.

Pls see below full text & chinese text :

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In response to YB Datuk Raymond Tan’s statement on 21/06/2009 on Merdeka News the Coal Plant will not be built in Sandakan.

1. The committee rejoice and welcome the decision of the Government.  The committee is happy that the voice and will of Sandakan people is finally heard the committee thank the Chief Minister YB Datuk Musa Aman and the government on the wise decision.

2. Through the 1 year campaign since May 2008 till now, the committee encounter tremendous pressure to save guard the environment for our future generation.  It is the undivided support from the people of Sandakan that keep us through.  It is the victory of the Sandakan people.

3. The committee also wish to record the great appreciation and gratitude to the following during our process of campaign:-  

1. YB Datuk Raymond Tan
2. YB Datuk V.K Liew and Datuk Chin Shui Ping
3. YB Aw Kam Wah
4. YB Datuk Edmund Chong
5. YB Terresa Kok Of DAP
6. Datuk Yong Teck Lee and SAPP Supreme Council
7. Mr. Wong Teck and all SEPA Committee
8. The Press Media

4. However while the committee is happy that the Coal Plant is no more in Sandakan, the committee is still very much concern on the site of relocation.  The committee is strongly felt that Coal Plant should not be anywhere in Sabah, so as to preserve the natural heritage of Sabah beauty.  It is hope the Coal Plant will totally scrap and replace by other energy to power the Power Plant in Sabah.

Stephen Wong Tien Fatt

Chairman

Pls see below photo & chinese text .

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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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Daily Express 24th April 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Sipitang Assemblyman Haji Ahmad Bujang Strongly objected to the commissioning of a coal-fired power plant in the district as it can be hazardous to human health and the environment.

     He said the emission of the smoke from the plant would create environment impact not only in Sipitang but also in its surrounding areas.

     According to him, the impact would be disastrous as the plant could produce millions of tonnes of CO2 emission and pose negative effect on the fertility of agriculture in the district.

     Ahmad was commenting on the setting up of a 40MW Coal-Fired Power Plant at Sabah Forest Industry (SFI), which was approved by the Department of Environment (DOE) without consulting first the state Government and other related non-government organisations (NGOs).

     He pointed out that there was no necessity for the coal-fired power plant and they should strive to look for other alternatives that would be more environmentally friendly and cost effective such as a hydropower plant similar to that in Pangi, Tenom.

     He concurred with the statement made by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, that the DOE should not have given permission to SFI commission the coal-fired power plant without first obtaining views as well as approval from the State Government.

     He reiterated that a coal-fired power plant was a sensitive issue and the DOE should also be more sensitive, especially when its impact could cause deterioration to the environment in Sipitang.

     "I would like to appeal to the authority concerned to reconsider the feeling and grouses of the people of Sipitang and to decide the best for the environment and people," Ahmad said.

     He also appealed to the State Government to intervene and seek clarification over the setting up of coal-fired power plant at SFI.

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Dept misled, says Sepa
Published on: Friday, April 03, 2009
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=63956

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) expressed disappointment with the Department of Environment (DOE) for approving the EIA for Sabah Forest Industries’ 40MW coal power plant in Sipitang without the participation of the public and other stakeholders.
Sepa feels that approval was given without EIA procedures being followed, said its President Wong Tack, adding it can be viewed as biased because public views and input were not sought nor interests taken into account.
"It is also misleading because Sabah DOE Director Abdul Razak claims there was NGO participation by way of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC).
"EAC is not registered nor is it an NGO. It is merely a forum (committee) bringing together the Government by way of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and environmental NGOs to meet, discuss and resolve environmental issues.
"Sepa has been told by the EAC secretariat that EAC was not involved in the EIA." Towards this end he asked who were the consultants involved in the preparation of the EIA and how many were Sabahans.
"Were the officers representing the Government free to give their views?
What was the scientific and technological analysis used to prepare and complete the final report?," he asked..
Wong said Sepa was shocked when Abdul Razak allegedly told the Chinese press that ‘coal-burning is no big deal, and that SFI actually is already burning coal since 2007′.
"We want him to clarify when was the DEIA conducted for coal-burning in SFI, which department issued the licence to import coal and burning of coal in the State because as far as we know, no such licence was issued, and I don’t think the Energy Commission has issued licence for coal-burning in Sabah," Wong insisted.
Sepa would like to see the monthly monitoring reports for 2007 and 2008.
"The big question is whether the DEIA was done for the coal-fired plant, whether there are proper equipment, where the toxic ash is dumped, what emission control systems have been set up," Wong said.
"It was even more shocking to learn that the State Government was not consulted on such a critically important environmental issue.
"In this regard Sepa appreciates the stand of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi ManjunÉwe appeal to him to continue monitoring the environmental situation in Sabah and stand for the interests of the people of Sabah."
Masidi had said although the State accepted that DEIA on industrial matters come under Federal jurisdiction, Sabah has a very strict environmental policy and it is only proper that DOE consult the State before any final decision since it is the people of Sabah who are going to suffer the consequences and not those in Kuala Lumpur.
Not happy that the State Government was bypassed, Masidi reminded the DOE that "under normal procedure any such proposal needs to be tabled in the State Cabinet for any decision to be made on it."
Meanwhile, the Sandakan Anti Coal-fired Power Plant Action Committee (SACPPAC) also fully supported the statement by Masidi.
It said it was well-known that the by-products of coal burning are hazardous and harmful to human beings, animals and plants.
It noted a proposal by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Sabah Electricity Board Sdn Bhd (SESB) to build a 300MW coal-fired power plant at the POIC Seguntor Sandakan.
"The proposed plant in Sandakan will be 7.5 time sbigger than the proposed plant in Sipitang," it said and reiterated that the proposed Sandakan site was environmentally-sensitive in view of the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation as well as Sepilok Rainforest Discovery.
It added that SACPPAC would continue to put pressure and is appealing for a gas-fired power plant to be set up for the east coast instead.

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We, the Sandakan Anti Coal Power Plant Action Committee, comprises of 30 NGOs and together with all the rest of the environmentalists, echo with Tan Sri Bernard Tampok the minister in the Prime minister proposal to stop the transport of our natural gas from Kimanis, Sabah to Bintulu, Sarawak which is 500km away. We strongly support your good office and noble mission to make our natural gas remain in the possession of Sabah, to be fully utilised and enjoyed by our Sabah people.

We hope such natural recourses can be fully processed in Sabah and not only be utilised for the purpose of housing power in Sandakan but also to be used in other manufacturing industries in Sabah.

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