1 Malaysia and Musa Aman, do you all understand what is acid rain? Acid rain, a dry deposition refers to acidic gases and particles. About half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth through dry deposition. The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings, cars, homes, and trees. Dry deposited gases and particles can also be washed from trees and other surfaces by rainstorms. When that happens, the runoff water adds those acids to the acid rain, making the combination more acidic than the falling rain alone.

Prevailing wind blow the compounds that cause both wet and dry acid deposition across state and national borders, and swinds blow sometimes over hundreds of miles. Scientists discovered, and have confirmed, that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary causes of acid rain. Globally, about 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx comes from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal.

Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Pure water has a pH of 7.0. Normal rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide dissolves into it, so it has a pH of about 5.5.

Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations and many sensitive forest soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation’s cultural heritage. Prior to falling to the earth, SO2 and NOx gases and their particulate matter derivatives, sulfates and nitrates, contribute to visibility degradation and harm public health.

Almost all of the electricity that powers modern life comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. acid deposition is caused by two pollutants that are released into the atmosphere, or emitted, when these fuels are burned: sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Coal accounts for most sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and a large portion of NOx emissions. Sulfur is present in coal as an impurity, and it reacts with air when the coal is burned to form SO2. In contrast, NOx is formed when any fossil fuel is burned.

There are several options for reducing SO2 emissions, including using coal containing less sulfur, washing the coal, and using devices called scrubbers to chemically remove the SO2 from the gases leaving the smokestack. But this is expensive and I do not think the coal plant as proposed can afford this kind of operating cost, same to our DOE which has no standard to monitor all these. Power plants can also switch fuels; for example burning natural gas creates much less SO2 than burning coal. Since we have plenty of gas, why not and why choose coal to generate electricity? Understanding these “co-benefits” should become important in seeking cost-effective air pollution reduction strategies for our politicians but then, majority of our lousy YBs are not doing their part of work. Each of these options has its own costs and benefits, however; there is no single universal solution.

Coal generally contains between 2 – 3 % sulphur, and when it is burned, this sulphur is released into the atmosphere. Electric companies and other industries which burn coal cause a lot of emission of sulphur dioxide.

The havoc done by acid rain is not localised in the place where it is caused. The atmospheric emissions may travel for several days and over long distances depending upon wind and climatic conditions, before coming down as acid rain. The problem caused in an industrialised area may therefore result in acid rain in the surrounding forests or lakes, or even further away.

Both natural vegetation and crops are affected by acid rain. The roots are damaged by acidic rainfall, causing the growth of the plant to be stunted, or even in its death. Nutrients present in the soil, are destroyed by the acidity. Useful micro organisms which release nutrients from decaying organic matter, into the soil are killed off, resulting in less nutrients being available for the plants. The acid rain, falling on the plants damages the waxy layer on the leaves and makes the plant vulnerable to diseases. The cumulative effect means that even if the plant survives it will be very weak and unable to survive climatic conditions like strong winds, heavy rainfall, or a short dry period. Plant germination and reproduction is also inhibited by the effects of acid rain.

The action of acid rain causes harmful elements like mercury and aluminium to be leached from the soil and rocks and it is then carried into the lakes where aquatic life may be affected. Warning signs have been posted at several lakes, telling about the dangers of eating fish which may have been poisoned by mercury. Just as the soil has a natural ability to neutralise the acidity of rain water, within a certain limit, so also lakes and other water bodies can to a certain extent nullify the effects of acid rain. However as the acidity increases, the natural mechanisms are no longer able to cope. As the water gets more acidic its pH goes down. As the pH reaches 5.5, plankton, certain insects and crustaceans begin to die. At a pH of around 5.0, the fish population begin to die. When the pH drops below 5.0, all the fish have died, and the bottom of the lake lies covered with undecayed material. Every year during the spring thaw, there is a sudden increase in the acidity of the lakes as frozen acid is suddenly deposited in them. This “Acid Shock” prevents the reproduction of aquatic species, or results in the deaths of the hatchlings.

All living organisms are interdependent on each other. If a lower life form is killed, other species that depended on it will also be affected. Every animal up the food chain will be affected. Animals and birds, like waterfowl or beavers, which depended on the water for food sources or as a habitat, also begin to die. Due to the effects of acid rain, animals which depended on plants for their food also begin to suffer. Tree dwelling birds and animals also begin to languish due to loss of habitat.

Stop building coal power plant.

The online monitoring requirements by DOE will ensure they are all ZERO SO2 emission so that environmental will not be harmed. Hence, collection of $$$ for every gram of SO2 discharge shall be charged by state government via DOE. Can DOE say something here what have they done to protect the healthy of rakyat? Can our Datuk Mashidi Manjun says something about this online flue gas emmission monitoring system in view of the Kyoto treaty? Soon, acid rain will harm the Land Below the Wind with the blessing of 1 Malaysia and Musa Aman and BN government.

Coal plant is definitely NO GO if the relevant authorities are strictly monitoring the emission. However, system in our country is not that encourage as there are many corruption activities going on. Can Najib, Musa, etc YBs tell the rakyat where are they going to discharge the fine ashes as generated by boilers? Are they going to dig a huge pit, many times bigger than the olympic standard swimming and deeper than swimming spool to dump this fine fly ashes? I have not been to FELDA Sahabat and I have no idea where about this area. However, i am sure the situation there is not in a good condition to treat this fine fly ashes. Perhaps, later, a funny idea will come out by YBs saying that cement plant will be built at Sahabat because of the coal power plant there.

The huge maintainence costs spent by SESB every year but still can not justify the reliable power system, including transmission system. Why can’t MACC investigate this? many years ago, there was a famous contractor by the name of Kontract Abadi from west malaysia who was always supplying man power and carry out maintenance for SESB, perhaps, this company should be investigated and NOW, who are the people carryinng out the maintenance and supplying of spare parts to SESB? SESB has claimed they have spent huge money for all these, no wonder……………..the rakyat in sabah are suffering.

The same goes to sabah government who will also be given more oil royalty. The question is that, how does our Musa Aman and his cabinet minister, in general, our BN government in sabah to fully and smartly utilise this oil royalty? Why can’t state government buys back the stakes from TNB so that state government has all the says and control for the development of power industrial? Perhaps, Musa should answer smartly this question on why state government can not buy back the stakes from TNB when TNB has never taken care off teh stable power supply in sabah. Unless Musa is happy with the management of TNB in sabah that is providing steady and stable and reliable power supply in Sabah.

I think Musa is the right candidate to answer and his obligation to answer to rakyat

No matter where you build, as long as it is within the boundary of sabah, sabahans should continue to oppose this damaged project as far as environmental is concerned.

Yes, i strongly agreed with Libra Ng that Peter Lajumin, the MOST senior person in SESB should be the MD instead of Baharin. However, does everyone knows that Baharin is a Malay while Peter is a bumi/Kadazan, so, this should always answer the query of this position. Again, SESB is controlled by TNB, a west malaysia based utility company, so, how could TNB allows sabahan to be the MD? It doesn’t make sense as the same goes to federal departments in sabahans whereby most of the top positions are filled by west malaysians. We all should remember recently when many of USELESS YBs cried foul about this arrangement.

Back to coal power plant. There is nothing much we can do now since Najib has announced, perhaps, the next election should be the chance to show the fuming of ssbahans that many politicians are frumpish and refused to listen to the voices of rakyat.

Musa has been aiming this coal plant since day ONE and everyone knows that his statement is always contradicting with his cabinet meeting’s decision and he even can say geothermal power plant in tawau – 100MW and out young chap DCM, Datuk Peter Pang was even talking without brain to follow suit his statement. Now such a sudden…..coal plant at Sahabat is approved via our so called friendly 1-Malaysia. See here……this is what is happening to our country politicians behaviour.

So, Tan Sri Koh and Idris Jala…..KPI performance…does it count?

Let’s stop all kinds of corruption and just remember….corruption is a SIN.

I refer to the Bernama report today where the Prime Minister says the government gives green light to the coal power plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

The happiest person to welcome this piece of news must surely be the TNB chairman, Leo Moggie and the President cum CEO Che Khalib. They have been lobbying and manipulating so vigorously to get this project implemented.

Some have accused that to achieve this goal, they had to ‘create’ a power shortage in Sabah and then blame it on the delay of the coal power plant.

“But due to the delay in the implementation of the coal-plant project, he said SESB has to spend almost RM60 million on repair and upgrading projects on all its ageing existing plants as stop gap measures to meet the ever increasing demand of its customers.” This is misleading because even if the construction of the coal plant starts in early 2008, it will not be completed until 2012/2013.

In addition, some say that TNB/SESB also ’sabotaged’ the SPR 100MW gas power plant which was approved by the Federal Government in Feb 2008 in anticipation of a serious power shortage in Sabah due to delays in the Powertron 1 & 2 project and the coal power plant. The CEO was so arrogant that it has been rumoured that he even said that the 100MW gas plant is not necessary. He doesn’t give a damn to Sabah power shortage problems, it seems.

If TNB/SESB had taken the power woes of Sabah seriously, they would have been proactive to implement the 100MW gas plant and at least one of the turbines would be in place today. Sabah would not be in this serious dilemma. Instead TNB & SESB finds all sorts of excuses to delay the implementation of the project. These are the ‘Little Napoleons” that are putting obstacles in the development of Sabah.

In early 2007, it was clear that there is serious delay in the Powertron I project. Under the PPA signed with SESB, the project was supposed to complete in March 2007. Even in April 2008 the project is not complete. The Powertron 2 was supposed to complete on July 2008 but it has been postponed many times. The proposed new date is Sept 2010 and there is no guarantee that the target dates can be achieved. At that time, the proposed coal power plant was already in the rocks because of differences among the shareholders and objections from the local NGO groups.

But it seems that TNB/SESB was misleading the public and State and Federal policy makers by saying that there are enough power generation capacity and Sabah power woes will be overcome once the East West grid is ready. During the launching of the East West grid in late Nov 2007, Leo Moggie, the Chairman of TNB said “The long-delayed RM503mil east-west power grid in Sabah should herald a more stable electricity supply for the state.” “He said that Sabah power generation of 866MW was sufficient to meet the present peak demand of 624MW.”

Is TNB/SESB so shortsighted that they are not aware that the old power generation plants are expensive to maintain and unreliable? Only recently SESB publicly acknowledge this problem. “SESB said most of its power plants are not operating at full capacity owing to age factors and over-stretched capacity.”

There was much protest and uproar recently over the widespread load shedding and to quiet down the anger of the people, TNB led by Leo Moggie and Che Khalib holds a briefing session for Sabah MP’s and State Assemblymen . It is indeed an out right untruth for SESB to blame the power shortage to rapid growth of consumers demand. “The acute shortage of power supply experienced in Sabah in the past months and now is due to rapid growth of consumers’ demand which cannot be contained within the existing generation capacity.” This is bullshit as the whole world already knows that there is an 8% annual growth in the electricity consumption. Was there a big jump in 2009?

Leo Moggie has been the Minister of Energy for three terms. What has he done to solve the power problems in Sabah? He should be removed from the Chairmanship of TNB and give it to someone more capable. Che Khalib is an ego maniac who might be thinking that he is fit to be the President of Petronas. Some have claimed that he runs TNB by putting his people in key post to check on staff that are critical of his actions and to take his orders.

A case in point is the Managing Director of SESB. By right the most senior and experienced person to take up the SESB MD post is Peter Lajumin, a local Sabahan but Khalib chose Baharin, a West Malaysian who was accused by some of playing politics, to take up the post. With all these jokers it is not surprising that Sabah is the only state that has so many problems with power supply.

Libra Ng