Muguntan Vanar The Star 17 Feb 11;
KOTA KINABALU: The proposed coal-fired power plant project in Lahad Datu has been scrapped after more than three years of controversy.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said a consensus had been reached that coal would not be used as a source of energy for Sabah.
He added that both the federal and state governments had agreed to pursue alternative energy sources like natural gas to meet Sabah’s energy needs.
Musa said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had asked Tenaga Nasional and Petronas to come up with alternatives to replace the proposed 300MW coal-fired plant in Lahad Datu.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the state Cabinet meeting yesterday which endorsed the decision to pursue other energy options, Musa said: “Sabah needs to increase its power supply to meet the increasing development but the state cannot afford to put its natural environment at risk.”
Thus, he said, it was important that the state places priority on protecting the environment.
“The environment is the biggest tourism draw,” he said, adding that the growth of eco-tourism depended on how the state kept its natural environment.
The proposed coal-powered plant in Lahad Datu had come under intense public criticism. A detailed Environment Impact Assessment was rejected by the Department of Environment.
“I know there have been certain objections to the proposed coal plant. Today is proof that such objections have not fallen on deaf ears,” said Musa.
Since the proposal for the power plant became public in 2007, environmental groups have been campaigning against it.
NGOs: Decision to scrap coal-fired power plant is a step towards sustainability
The Star 17 Feb 11;
KOTA KINABALU: A coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) described the decision to scrap the proposed coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu as historic and a courageous step in shifting development practices towards sustainability.
Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) representative Cynthia Ong congratulated the state and federal governments for putting a stop to the coal-fired power plant and commended Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman for pioneering a new direction for the state and nation.
“We have conveyed the good news to our international partners who will no doubt join us in acknowledging the outstanding leadership that has been shown.
“On behalf of the individuals, people’s movements, organisations and friends of Green SURF, we thank the Chief Minister and his cabinet for safeguarding our priceless natural heritage and strengthening Sabah’s role as an environmental trailblazer in the region,” said Ong.
The coalition, founded in 2009 by WWF-Malaysia, Land Empowerment Animals People, Sabah Environment Protection Association, Partners of Community Organisations and the Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch), said Musa’s announcement was proof that the views of all parties were taken into account.
Ong said Green SURF had worked hard to have its voice heard, submitting its objection at the Parliament building last year and by writing to leaders in the Government and its partners overseas.
“We were in the dark as to whether the Government planned to proceed with the coal plant, as we received very minimal feedback.
“Green SURF and the thousands who had opposed dirty energy in Sabah take it that our voices were heard,” Ong added.
Government pulls plug on power plant
Roy Goh New Straits Times 17 Feb 11;
KOTA KINABALU: The government has scrapped the controversial proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday announced the state and Federal governments' decision to consider other sources of energy instead.
It was agreed Tenaga Nasional Berhad, its subsidiary Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, and Petronas work together to use gas or liquefied natural gas to meet the power needs of Sabah.
The scrapping came weeks after Musa hosted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to the east coast of Sabah, including a helicopter ride over Lahad Datu.
In that trip, Najib also visited and subsequently launched the Maliau Basin Studies Centre in Tawau and was briefed on several other prime ecotourism attractions.
When asked if the visit helped convince the prime minister to consider other options rather than coal, Musa said: "To a certain extent, probably, but not entirely.
"The Barisan Nasional holds true to its 'People First, Performance Now' policy and this is a clear example. Many have expressed concerns over the proposal and we have been listening.
"The prime minister has been attentive to our power supply needs, especially in the east coast, but he is also concerned about our most valuable asset, the environment.
"As a responsible government, it is paramount to give priority to protecting the environment and the well-being of the people."
Musa said Sabah needed to increase its power supply to meet the growing demand from increasing industrial and commercial development activities and cannot afford to put the natural environment at risk.
"The government is mindful of the needs of the people but our approach to development will be balanced and sustainable," he added.
His announcement, after the weekly state cabinet meeting here yesterday, complemented a similar decision by the National Economic Action Council chaired by Najib.
The idea to develop a power plant to boost much needed power supply in the east coast was mooted in 2007, and a site in Silam, Lahad Datu, was identified.
Following strong public opposition, another site was proposed in Sandakan but that too was rejected by the public before Kampung Sinakut, in Lahad Datu, came into the picture in 2009.
The same year, TNB proposed a coal-fired plant to be built but the idea came under fire from non-governmental organisations.
Sabah scraps coal-fired power project
Move underlines growing electoral influence of environmentalists
S Jayasankaran Business Times 17 Feb 11;
MALAYSIA'S easternmost Sabah state yesterday scrapped plans for a RM1.3 billion (S$546 million) coal-fired power plant, bowing to a three-year campaign against the project by environmentalists.
'I am pleased to announce that the federal and state governments have agreed to pursue other alternative sources of energy namely gas to meet Sabah's power supply needs,' the state's Chief Minister Musa Aman said in a statement yesterday.
'I know there have been certain objections to the proposed coal powered plant,' Mr Musa added of the planned project at Sabah's western district of Lahad Datu. 'Today is proof that such objections have not fallen on deaf ears.'
The backtracking by the government underscores the growing electoral influence of environmentalists and local populations imbued with the not-in-my- backyard (Nimby) syndrome. Once thought to be only confined to developed countries, the influence of the Nimby syndrome has grown in Malaysia in tandem with the resurgence of the opposition, cancelling projects like an incinerator in Peninsular Malaysia and, now, the coal plant in Sabah.
The cancellation of the project also coincides with talk that a general election could be called as early as this year.
Another separate one is likely to be called for the state of Sarawak which neighbours Sabah any time soon so any move that could harm the chances of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is likely to be avoided.
In the coal plant's case, there were good grounds for second thoughts. The Department of Environment had rejected the detailed environmental impact assessment for the proposed 300-megawatt coal-fired plant in August last year because many important environmental parameters in the plan were not addressed in the report.
Mr Musa said Prime Minister Najib Razak understood the state's grave concern for the environment in Malaysia's easternmost state which earns a lot of revenue from tourism.
'The prime minister understands that while we need to build up our power supply in Sabah, it can't be done at the expense of the people's welfare and the environment,' Mr Musa said, adding that Mr Najib knew that the state's greatest asset were its natural attractions and 'somewhat pristine environment.'
'As a responsible government, it is paramount that we put priority on protecting our environment for the wellbeing of the people,' the chief minister said. 'We must also protect the environment especially since it's one of the biggest tourism draws in Sabah.'
Previous newsreports had pointed out that the environmental impact assessment on the proposed power plant stated that its construction could raise surrounding sea temperatures by four degrees Centigrade as well as damage the livelihoods of local fishermen.
The power plant could also result in the loss of a traditional seaweed farming area measuring 4 sq km near the area. The plant would also generate over 45,000 tonnes of ash every year.
Sabah praised for scrapping coal power plant
Joniston Bangkuai New Straits Times 19 Feb 11;
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia received a pat on the back from the international community for deciding not to use coal to produce energy in Sabah.
Leading the chorus of praise was chief technical specialist for renewable energy and energy efficiency at the World Bank, Professor Daniel M. Kammen.
Kammen said by cancelling the proposed coal plant in favour of sustainable energy options, Malaysia had opted to invest in a healthy economy and environment for the state.
"This is a turning point that should bring praise and partnerships to Malaysia at the upcoming climate conference in Durban, South Africa.
"I am thrilled by the efforts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, and for their leadership in directing the nation and state toward a diverse mixture of energy resources.
"This will help stabilise energy costs, bring new entrepreneurs into the energy field, create job growth and cut local environment impact and global greenhouse gas emissions."
Musa had on Wednesday announced the state government's decision to scrap the proposed RM1.2 billion coal-fired power plant project in Lahad Datu.
Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future), a coalition of non-governmental organisations formed to oppose "dirty energy", had commissioned Kammen to prepare an energy options report for the state, in his capacity as professor in the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California in Berkeley.
"I am thrilled to have been able to work with the people of Sabah on this victory, and look forward to watching the international community learn from Sabah's triumph of planning and partnership," Kammen said.
World Land Trust chief executive officer and founder John Burton congratulated the government on making a rational decision that would have major benefits for all.
"It is good that they listened to public opinion and showed a genuine commitment to the environment."
Lauding the government's decision, 350.org Malaysia's Southeast Asia field coordinator Abe Woo said the move had charted a new course in the history of environmental movements and energy management.
"This signals a positive and responsive government as the whole international network of 350.org continues to support bold moves by the government in combating climate change."
Jamie Henn, 350.org communications director, described the decision as a "victory that's felt all around the world".
350.org is an international movement to unite the world on solutions to the climate crisis.
Environment campaigner Roz Savage lauded the state government's statement through Twitter, adding that she was honoured and proud to have been part of the campaign against the project.
Savage was the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean and was named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2010.
