Sandakan Coal Plant Plan

I’m proud and honored to have a Chief Minister from Sandakan but I hope that he listens to what Sandakian’s need and not what he think best for Sandakian. The Chief Minister’s coal power plant project for Sandakan is simply unacceptable and not sure if He gave any thoughts towards it.

I’m extremely disappointed and saddened by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's intentions to site the coal-fired plant in Sandakan despite numerous and lengthy objections.

My objection is not against the development for the betterment of the people of Sandakan. There is little doubt that Sandakan people need improvement on power supply, since decades we have more blackouts then visits by any Ministers.

Electricity is definitely a major need, However, I object strongly to the use of coal as a process to generate this need because it threatens so many things dear to Sandakan folks.

I want my political leaders to give its people what is best for them not what is left over! The Cabinet rejected the plant to be built in Silam and therefore offer a leftover for Sandakan, that’s totally unacceptable!

EIA report conducted by SESB is totally unacceptable and making fool out of the public. Further, SESB who will get the most benefits if this plant is built! We Rakyat are getting smarted each day but our ministers still think us as the Dumb ass!

We Sabahan deserve much better than a coal plant! Musa's reference to China and Britain as an example or reason to accept a coal-fired power plant was totally idiotic because these two countries are shouting down their coal plant one by one.

These countries have taken various steps to reduce environmental hazards by reducing the use of coal power plant. In fact China shut down 58 pulverization technology-based coal-fired power plants or an equivalent of 14,020MW on July 6 to reduce pollution problems just before the Beijing Olympics.

It is an undeniable and undisputed fact that coal is the dirtiest, most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels emitting the most toxic particles that will damage not only our environment but most importantly our human health in the long run.

Eco-driven tourism which is Sabah specialties earned Sabah close to RM5 billion with more than RM1 billion in tax money going to the Government and tourists gravitate to Sandakan because of its world famous wildlife attraction centred on the Orang-utan.

Sandakan is a very special destination, the people are very proud of this global reputation and we must do everything to preserve the nature city image for as long as we can and coal will prevent us achieving this.

Sabah is a producer of gas; we do not see why gas cannot be used as an alternative energy source. It is most unfair to the people of Sandakan to be forced to accept coal as the only power option despite of a healthier and cleaner choice.