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Friends:

The following article appeared in almost the whole form in Daily Express Sunday Forum today – 12/07/09. I append below my full original version. 1Malaysia, 1Democracy – By The People, Of The People And For The People (People as in All Citizens).

Green Power Engineer (DE Forum 05/07/09) has gone over-board by bringing up unrelated issues and being personal. Why doesn’t he use the cyberspace to answer issues raised there? Is he afraid he would become a laughing stock?

Not withstanding his weird stand, allow me to answer him. 

Looks like he is trying to re-brand himself – Started writing as ‘Power Engineer’ has now turned himself into ‘Green Power Engineer’ (GPE). Does he really think by adding ‘Green’ he thus becomes green? A rose by any other name will smell the same and so will any discharge from the rear orifice.

For some the only ‘green’ they know and understand is the “greenback”. Probably he is being handsomely paid with “greenbacks”. In other words, there is gold in coal for those willing to make the dirty bucks. Being wealthy is not a crime unless the wealth is obtained through illegal or unethical means……………

 

These environmentalists GPE speaks of are selfless people – Instead of spending their time making more money like most people do these guys are willing to stake their lot to stand up for the Environment. And what is GPE doing?

Is GPE a non-partisan advocate for coal or a soul-less, highly-paid mercenary? Or is he an out-of-favour staff trying to curry favour with his employers, hoping for a golden handshake? I wish I could get the help of "The Wizard of Oz" to help him. If GPE has any guts and credibility especially, he should reveal his true identity and not hide under some faceless labels such as ‘Power Engineer’ or ‘Green Power Engineer’.

And if GPE is indeed an expert in his field that he claims to be, he should not simply attack environmentalists. He should keep to issues and answer questions raised, not go on a personal vendetta against environmentalists.

The truth is SESB has failed in its job. They had failed to plan or, may be they had planned to fail?

One should not try to give excuses that hold no water. Even if the coal-fired power plants had gone ahead without objections, they would probably be commissioned only in 2011 or 2013. How does one explain all the power shortages for the last few years and NOW and how are the people of Sabah going to cope with in the next few years?

While GPE may regards the discussions on the issue of coal power plants as "for our entertainment" which reflects on his unprofessional attitude and poor understanding of the issue, let me stress here that we are serious on the issue, for the repercussions are serious – nothing entertaining about it. All Sabahans will suffer when wrong decisions are made.

I would like to again invite GPE to remove his mask and come forward to have a chat with us. We suggest that he organize a forum and invite us to give our views? He can bring all his experts. We can let the people hear both sides and make their own decision.

Pity the faint-hearted.

GPE goes on to say – "Wasn’t it the Sabah State govt that was incompetent in running SEB that they begged the Federal Govt to take over after which it became to be know as LLS?"  Going by his own recommendation that I be charged for sedition for saying that SESB/TNB is using its mafia-might to force the coal plant down Sabahans throat – should I now ask the Home Minister to charge this faceless, confused and blind thing for sedition?

Again on the same note should SESB /TNB be charged for sedition because in spite of the Chief Minister, Musa, declaring that coal is bad and canceling the original project the utility provider keeps insisting on the coal plant?

And while GPE is on the line with the Home Minister he may want to include the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce in his list of people to be charged for sedition? Quote Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, SCCC’s Secretary General – "It is proven that TNB is incapable of looking after the welfare and interests of the people in Sabah." Refer to DE 08/07/09  

Looks like if GPE was in political power anyone who disagrees with the government would have to go to prison. He can’t even handle any right ‘power’; imagine him having the wrong kind of power. God forbid the day and we thank God for it. 

For the knowledge of GPE, if he has been long enough with SESB, it was political interference and related mismanagement that caused SEB all the problems. A corporatised SESB with professional management, free of political interference can prove successful. Management must be innovative and open to ideas and not be constrained with a mindset like GPE’s. Quote GPE “As I said before, SESB officials only obey orders from the Government." Wait for and obey orders – with such a mentality how can Sabahans expect an efficient power supply? And conveniently, any short-comings, just blame it on everyone else. So smart of GPE!

Pity the ignorant.

My objections to coal are simply based on these facts and reasons:

     1. There is a cleaner alternative available – gas.

     2. Gas is from Sabah

     3. There would be less security problem and less likelihood of price fluctuations. (It is up to the Sabah state

government to negotiate and fight, for the people of Sabah).

     4. As a state abundantly provided with natural beauty and now dependent on tourism, let’s keep Sabah a coal-free state.

GPE/PE has consistently ignored and refused to answer the above issues.

I stand by my views: The Chairman of TNB said “…. A coal-fired power plant using clean coal technology remains the most realistic option available at the present time…” to me this statement only reflects on the ignorance and limited vision of the person. Further more, there is no such thing as ‘clean coal’, just “sound good” propaganda of the coal lobbyists. It’s like tobacco companies saying that they have ‘non-risk cigarettes’.

And again I say, a decision has been made by TNB and we are all being goaded into submission. Why coal -only Leo Moggie knows – the reasons are best known only to the Chairman of TNB. Maybe he sees gold in coal or even a golden handshake too?

Are the Sabah Cabinet and the people of Sabah required to fulfill the desires and dreams of TNB or its chairman? On this issue the Sabah Cabinet has chosen to be united in silence, save for Datuk Masidi Manjun and Au Kam Wah, who is the Elopura State Assemblyman cum Chairman of Sabah Energy Corporation.

The responsibility to nurture our God-given garden of Earth lies with all of us and in so doing we must ensure that we do not consume more than necessary. We have a choice – YES, We all of us have a choice. And we must make the right choice.

As such in our quest for development let’s not forget: 

Without man, Earth will flourish,

Without a livable Environment, We shall all perish.

For the knowledge of GPE/PE I have been through thick-and-thin for standing up for the people of Sabah. I have been told YBs had threatened to beat me up and even have me thrown out of the state for voicing views on the cleanliness problems of MPKK just before it became a city.

And in 1997, for standing up to save Likas Bay, I was sued RM 30 million for libel under trumped-up charges. I have lost jobs and my family had to live a tough life. But it was my choice. I chose not to submit to threats by hooligans and criminal elements. I have weathered them all, at times with only God beside me. And I am prepared to brave Green Power Engineer’s threat of sedition charges against me.

I am willing to give my life to defend God’s creations and Sabahans. And so, help me God.

SM Muthu

The Greenman

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