Save Sandakan

Sandakan Anti-Coal Fired Power Plant Action Committee
29 September 2008
YB Datuk Masidi Manjun
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment
Sabah, Malaysia

Dear YB Datuk,

Memorandum against Coal Fired Power Plant at Sandakan

We write to YB Datuk to kill the proposal by SESB/TNB on the setting up and commissioning of a coal-fired power plant in Sandakan. With the power invested in your portfolio as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, , it is now crucial and timely to voice out your objection to this miscalculated folly which will bring disaster to our beloved Nature City of Sandakan and the slow death of our children and grandchildren. This impending cumulative disaster will spare no one and we are at wit’s end; we need YB Datuk at this Dark Hour of Desperation to step forward and help us all, no ‘save’ is a better word.

The masses of innocent Sandakan residents have been vehemently voicing their objection, in mass media and in crowded meetings against such an unthinkable initiative by SESB/TNB . The grave concern expressed by local NGOs and the representation by the united citizens of Sandakan have now gelled into one voice and one heart to fight against the highhanded decision to turn Sandakan into a polluted city. The decision makers have never sought the people’s consensus to plan and carry out this illogical coal-fired power generating plant .The voters put the decision makers up there to care and serve all their constituents; but their uncaring attitude of denial and show of arrogance leave nothing to be desired. With no other recourse, the united people of Sandakan have unanimously set up a committed body, “ The Sandakan Anti-coal Fired Power Plant Action Committee ” with full participation from concerned professionals , full support and representations from various prominent bodies of Sandakan’s Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the Bumiputra Chambers of Commerce, the Indian Chambers of Commerce, numerous non-governmental organizations and the of concerned citizens of Sandakan. We are all unanimously AGAINST the setting up of a Coal Fired Power Plant in Sandakan by SESB/TNB or its appointees.

We are aware of the extent of environmental degradation that comes with coal plant and our worries are further compounded by our concerned YAB Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Hj. Aman that the initial proposal to set up in Lahad Datu was shelved because the State Government was not prepared to risk the welfare and health of the communities and also of the adverse effects on the environment.

Such assuring statements were reported on 4 April 2008 in the Daily Express and on 2 April 2008 in The Star, YAB Datuk Seri Musa said “After weighing the pros and cons, the cabinet decided to do away with the proposal because we do not want to risk the welfare of the communities in the area including their health and any adverse impact on the environment”.

We are blessed to have a visionary Chief Minister and State Cabinet for having made such a timely and wise decision. Likewise we wish to reiterate that what is bad for Lahad Datu will be just as equally BAD for Sandakan.

All life forms will be exposed to hazardous emissions, a matter with very negative ramifications for life in this part of the State affectionately recognized as “The Nature City”. What hopes have we for our children and our future generations in view of the impending cold and insinuative murder that would soon be perpetrated by the coal-powered station through its unseen hands that strangle the clean environment to death with the continuous stream of noxious and toxic gases. And adding mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead to the air is not a kind way to subject innocent people of Sandakan to a slow and eventual death . .

For the sake of our precious natural heritage, well-being of the Sandakan communities, and our future generations we urge YB Datuk to seriously support our cause and desire to stop any attempts to set up a coal fired plant in Sandakan by parties who have not the people of Sandakan at heart..

We recognize that for years you have been a strong advocate of pro- active initiatives to mitigate against dangerous climate change and your reveled Ministry in protecting Sabah’s environment, by taking appropriate pro-environment and sound ecological actions. We are now at a point that your bold leadership is needed, leadership that could change the course of our future generations and pertinently Sandakan’s human history.

Attempts by the power supplier to delude the general public that coal is safe and clean will not hold water thanks to the advent of internet which have had kept the general public informed of the state of affairs and more importantly accurate information are now readily available without distortion and speedily too. We are better informed and are able to see the dangers that lurk before us from the coal plant.

The conclusion that net carbon emissions must be cut to a fraction of current emissions must be stunning and sobering to policy-makers. Yet the science is unambiguous: if we burn most of the fossil fuels, releasing the CO2 to the air, we will assuredly destroy much of the fabric of life in our part of the planet. Aggressive near-term fostering of energy efficiency and climate friendly technologies is imperative for mitigation of the looming climate crisis and optimisation of the economic pathway to the eventual clean-energy world.

Global climate is near critical tipping points that could lead to loss of all summer sea ice in the Arctic with detrimental effects on wildlife, initiation of ice sheet disintegration in West Antarctica and Greenland with progressive, unstoppable global sea level rise, shifting of climatic zones with extermination of many animal and plant species, reduction of freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people, and a more intense hydrologic cycle with stronger droughts and forest fires, but also heavier rains and floods, and stronger storms driven by latent heat, including tropical storms, tornados and thunderstorms.

Feasible actions now could still point the world onto a course that minimises climate change. Coal clearly emerges as central to the climate problem. Coal caused fully half of the fossil fuel increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air today, and on the long run coal has the potential to be an even greater source of CO2. Due to the dominant role of coal, solution to global warming must include phase-out of coal except for uses where the CO2 is captured and sequestered. Failing that, we cannot avoid large climate change, because a substantial fraction of the emitted CO2 will stay in the air more than 1000 years.

Choices among alternative energy sources – renewable energies, energy efficiency and the readily available gas power must be considered. Decision must be made to phase out coal use unless the CO2 is captured is a global imperative, if we are to preserve the wonders of nature, local heritage, our mesmerizing coastlines, and ensuring our social and economic well being.

Although coal is the dominant issue, there are many important subsidiary ramifications, including the need for rapid transition from oil-fired energy utilities, industrial facilities and transport systems, to clean (solar, hydrogen, gas, wind, and biomass ) energy sources, as well as removal of barriers to increased energy efficiency.

The western world has contributed most to fossil fuel CO2 in the air today, on a per capita basis. This is not a time to cast blame. It only recognizes the reality of the early industrial development in these countries, and points to a responsibility to lead in finding a solution to global warming. Why then must we repeat the mistakes that are causing irreparable destructions in the coal using countries? SESB/TNB must take heed of this.

A firm choice to halt building of coal-fired power plants would be a major step toward solution of the deadly emissions and ever enlarging global warming problem. Many countries have strong interest in solving the climate problem. Citizens of many nations are stepping up to block one coal plant after another, and major changes particularly can be anticipated after elections. We, the people of Sandakan share similar concern and also sing a similar tune that the building of a coal fired power plant must be halted.

YB Datuk, we cannot divert our eyes from the basic fossil fuel facts, or the consequences for life in Sandakan of ignoring those fossil fuel facts. If we proceed to build the coal fired power plant, we will lock in future climate disasters associated with passing climate tipping points. We must solve the coal problem now. The coal fired power plant must not be allowed to be constructed in Sandakan.

Alternatives are available, gas for example remains the best option. Why is this source of energy diverted to somewhere else if there is a dire need in the East Coast of Sabah as claimed by SESB/TNB? The Sabah Grid System must be linked to the areas in need and SESB/TNB should not cite possible vandalism that will wipe out the supply. Thousands and thousands of kilometers of such grid systems serve many nations in the world without hiccups. Is SESB/TNB’s reasoning that only they have this unique problem? Sound management holds the key to such a problem and is the obvious solution and answer to SESB/TNB’s folly.

The recent visits to the coal fired power plants in various parts of Malaysia did little to dissuade our impressions on the potential dangers and hazards posed by the operations of those plants.

The findings from the visits include extremely large amount of toxic and deadly emissions into the atmosphere. The known quantum of 500 metric tons of fly ash will gravely impact health and will be a major causative agent of chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma and premature deaths.

TNB’s claim of using a Clean Coal Technology cannot be gauged as clean as up to 3.7 million tons of CO2 and 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide will be released into the atmosphere with serious consequences, damage the ozone layer and play pivotal roles in global warming and climatic change. Incomplete combustion of coal will also emit 720 tons of CO, a main agent that causes untold stress and headaches.

Seawater used in very large volume in the cooling process will raise surrounding seawater, estuaries and such changes in water temperature will grossly alter marine life breeding ability and will also create havoc to the ecological well-being of coastal and marine life forms. Such changes will reduce catch of fishermen and their families whose livelihood are dependant on the daily catches from such sources.

The poor retention of bottom ash over an extended duration evidently shows spillovers from existing plants have been viewed with concern. Large unmonitored quantities of such wastes flow freely into water resources without adequate control. Untold environmental damages over an indefinite period from such spillovers can be expected.

The dangers are real and simply there and sadly not visible before our naked eyes amidst danger of PM10 emissions are filling the environment. Only special designated equipment can measure its presence. PM10 particulates once lodged in the lungs of infants, young children, teenagers and the elderly will complicate their health and worsen cases of broncho-related and asthmatic incidents. Such emissions simply pose great risks to general public health.

We, solemnly appeal to YB Datuk and pray that you will see the light of our predicament.

YB Datuk, we need your understanding, support and action to safeguard further attempts to decimate our natural heritage, we need to zealously safeguard our children, our future generations and future well-being against the potentially dangerous, hazardous and damaging presence of coal fired power plant in Sandakan.

We treasure our life. We treasure our generations. We treasure our unequalled natural heritage. We treasure Sandakan. SAVE US!

Please help us. Our lives are in your hand now.

Thank you very much, YB Datuk.

Yours faithfully,

Steven Wong
Chairman
Sandakan Anti-Coal Fired Power Plant Committee

On behalf of the undersigned, Sandakan concerned and well- meaning citizens.

“Over the past few decades, however, a series of studies has called these stereotypes into question. Among the surprising conclusions: the waste produced by coal plants is actually more radioactive than that generated by their nuclear counterparts. In fact, fly ash—a by-product from burning coal for power—contains up to 100 times more radiation than nuclear waste.

At issue is coal’s content of uranium and thorium, both radioactive elements. They occur in such trace amounts in natural, or "whole," coal that they aren’t a problem. But when coal is burned into fly ash, uranium and thorium are concentrated at up to 10 times their original levels.

Fly ash uranium sometimes leaches into the soil and water surrounding a coal plant, affecting cropland and, in turn, food. People living within a "stack shadow"—the area within a half- to one-mile (0.8- to 1.6-kilometer) radius of a coal plant’s smokestacks—might then ingest small amounts of radiation. Fly ash is also disposed of in landfills and abandoned mines and quarries, posing a potential deadly risk to people living around those areas.”

- Mara Hvistendahl in STYRANGE BUT TRUE December 13, 2007

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