Coal-Based Power Plant

So, its bad for LD but OK for S'kan

I WAS saddened to read that the coal-powered power plant is being shovelled down the throat of the people of Sandakan.

The State Cabinet made a wise decision in cancelling the coal-powered power plant which was originally supposed to be sited in Lahad Datu. The reason was that coal is bad for health and the Environment.

But moving it to Sandakan opens up many questions. If it is bad for Lahad Datu, how come it's good for Sandakan?

Sandakan has a larger and more wide-spread populace and many rich ecological sites. People may even say that the Cabinet was quick to abrogate the Lahad Datu site because it had the intention to move it to Sandakan which may then lead to questions of vested interests.

I sympathise with the Science Advisor to the government.

He should have been consulted for his "expert advice" before the project was decided on and not be made to justify a questionable decision that has already been made.

This could be unfair to him but this is not the first time that he has had to do this kind of thing - justifying the unjustifiable.

Yes, coal is BAD. There is no such thing as "clean coal".

It is merely a clever use or rather abuse of words and sales gimmicks by vested interests.

From the point of mining, transportation and usage and discharge of exhaust - coal is bad, VERY BAD.

There is so much information available on the Internet on the health hazards of coal.

There are many protest movements calling for the closing down of coal-powered plants.

Carbon-capture technology which can minimise health hazards is 15 to 20 years away and by that time the damage would have been done and sadly the brunt of it would be borne by children who now have no say in the decision making. But parents who claim to love their children can and should do something.

People are not going to drop dead when the coal-powered plant starts operation but hazards are long-term and accumulative. Severe cases and attacks of Asthma would be prevalent.

The 300 MW plant involves billion-dollar investments and investers won't just turn it off when serious health hazards are realised because then it would become a question of billion-dollar compensation. But it can be abrogated now before agreements are signed.

Let us wise-up. Get all the facts right. The state government should not rush into signing any agreements.

Don't base decisions after listening to sales talk given by the "experts" from supplier firms.

Let us learn from other people's mistakes. What was done in ignorance in the past should not be repeated due to arrogance and vested interests in the present.

TNB and SESB must be fair. Don't threaten people with "it's coal or darkness" for you. Exhaust all means of power generation. There is so much of gas available around Sabah.

The Prime Minister had announced after his last visit that a 300MW gas-powered plant would be built. What happened?

Biomass is another good alternative - the many palm-oil mills could be connected to the power grid.

There is a price to pay for development and comfort but if the "price" can be minimised or avoided why not?

Sandakanians should not be forced to 'pay the price' so that people with vested interests can enjoy their 'windfall benefits'.

I admire and support the objections raised against the coal-powered plant by the various NGOs and other bodies in Sandakan. They have the right.

After all it is their back-door and it is their children who may end-up paying the price.

The decision-makers would all be far and safely away.

SM Muthu