Save Sandakan

http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/38648

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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Popularity: 100% [?]

Bid to silence Sabah’s anti-coal campaign

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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More than 40,000 Residents from

Taman Mawar/Sibuga and Indah

Exposed to Potential Toxic Emissions !

RTM Sabah interviewed the Chairman of Sandakan Anti Coal Fired Power Plant Action Committee, Stephen Wong at the proposed POIC site at Seguntor, Sandakan where the proposed coal plant is expected to be sited.

Stephen Wong voiced his concern on the various adverse environmental effects associated with the proposed coal fired power plant’s site preparation, construction and stressed on the long term impacts from its operation. The potential environmental and health hazards associated with the plant’s toxic emissions and heavy metal wastes by-products add to the community’s concern and bane.

The close proximity of the proposed coal plant site looms within 3 kilometers and exposes 40,000 residents from densely populated nearby housing sites, to potential emissions and toxic wastes besides threatening thousands of villagers from surrounding 40 fishing villages. The infamous Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary nearby is also not spared.

The RTM crew and members of the Action Committee witnessed the vast destruction and degradation of some 300 acres of valuable mangroves which once form crucial barriers against coastal inundation, erosion and threat of tsunami are no longer present to serve such important roles. Important breeding grounds for marine life are being destroyed by the vast reclamation activities on such coastline which once ensured biological equilibrium. Dangers of tsunami and pollution from toxic wastes and emissions now endanger the very fabric of life of Sandakan.

The interview with JKK Chairman, En. Samsuddin of Kg. Bambangan and villager, En. Manja reinforced the Committee’s findings on the potential threats. Some of the regular water supply sources, the lifeline to the villagers for generations have been destroyed, altered or contaminated. The recent flooding which had never occurred at the village saw many of their homes inundated due to siltation as many parts of the bay are being made shallower due to siltation from the expansive hill slopes leveling and reclamation of the mangroves at the POIC site.

Manja sighed and shaked his head in despair, echoing the sentiments of many villagers.

“Our marine catch has now been reduced by 70% and our livelihood is now threatened.”

Catch the airing of the interview on RTM 1 at 3 p.m. on 27 January 2008.

Help Save Sandakan!

SACPAC Chairman, Stephen Wong urges all Ministers and MPs to reject the setting of the coal fired power plant in Sandakan for environmental and health reasons echoing YAB Datuk Musa’s earlier statement and decision on the rejection of the Silam Coal plant

Villager, En. Manja expressed his worries of the siting of the coal plant. The environment has been altered and impact being felt. The valuable water source is being destroyed!

“ We do not want the coal fired power plant near our kampung” stressed Manja.

JKK Chairman En. Samsuddin shared his concern on the impact being experienced from inundation of their homes, siltation of the bay and reducing catch from the sea.

“We do not want Coal Fired

Power Plant” !

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Immeasuarble Destruction!

Eco-terrorists still at large.

Overview of 2^nd Phase vast land clearing and reclamation of mangroves at Seguntor. Note degradation and destroyed mangroves.

Once important mangroves coastline now reduced to heaps of waste wood.

Expansive degradation of landform and altered water source.

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