Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Green SURF Lauds Move to Scrap Coal Plant

PRESS RELEASE

KOTA KINABALU (16 Feb 2011): A coalition of NGOs here has congratulated the State and Federal governments for finally putting a stop to a coal-fired power plant in Sabah.

In a statement, Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) commended the Sabah Government’s strong leadership under the stewardship of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for pioneering a new direction for the state and the nation.

Green SURF representative Ms Cynthia Ong said the coalition recognises the decision as one that is historic and described it as a “courageous step in shifting our development practices towards sustainability.”

“We have conveyed the long-awaited good news to all our international partners who will no doubt join us in acknowledging the outstanding leadership that has been shown.

“On behalf of the individuals, peoples’ movements, organizations and friends of Green SURF, we thank the Chief Minister and his State Cabinet for safeguarding our priceless natural heritage and strengthening Sabah’s role as an environmental trailblazer in the region,” Ong said.

She said the statement by Musa that the state cannot afford to put its natural environment at risk was testimony of the State Government’s commitment in protecting Sabah’s rich biodiversity.

The coalition founded in 2009 by WWF-Malaysia, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), Sabah Environment Protection Association (SEPA), Partners of Community Organisations (Pacos) and Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch), felt the announcement by Musa on Wednesday was proof that views of all parties were taken into account.

Ong said Green SURF had worked hard to have its voice heard, including by turning up at the Parliament building last year to submit its objection, and by writing numerous letters to leaders in 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 and we thank the State and Federal governments for taking this bold step,” Ong said.

She said much time has been wasted on plans to build a coal plant, and that immediate steps must be taken to overcome power shortage through other energy sources, particularly on the east coast.

“We are here to stay and we are ready and willing to work with both the State and Federal governments in identifying and implementing solutions,” Ong said.

Related Link:

Kenyataan Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman,Ketua Menteri Sabah mengenai KEPUTUSAN KERAJAAN UNTUK TIDAK MEMBINA Loji Janakuasa Arang Batu di Sabah

CM STATEMENT ON NO COAL POWER PLANT IN SABAH

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28 comments:

Anak Sabah said...

Baguslah projek penjana arang batu ini dibatalkan.

madd said...

baguslah projek tersebut tidak dilaksanakan. ini mengembirakan banyak pihak.

madd said...

keputusan ini dapat membantu melindungi alam sekitar daripada terjejas..

tombolo said...

keputusan yang diambil ini amat wajar bagi menjaga alam sekitar.

Jason said...

A good news indeed!

Jason said...

Hopefully we will hear no more plans to implement coal plant in the future.

Jason said...

I'm glad the government made a wise decision in scrapping the coal plant off.

Ken Yeong said...

i worry this will "force" the govt towards nuclear for future plants. once the first 2,000MW nuclear plant clears early phases of development, i suspect more will be planned at other locations.

Mohd Ishak said...

Harap penjana kuasa alternatif yang bersih akan digunakan untuk menyelesaikan masalah kekurangan bekalan elektrik.

Anonymous said...

apakah tenaga alaternatif yang akan digunakan bagi menjana tenaga elektrik selepas ini?

Anonymous said...

oo.. nampaknya sumber tenaga altenatif adalah menggunakan gas, ia adalah lebih bersih dan mesra alam.

Hamdan Hadillah said...

Semoga sabah mendapat satu penjana kuasa yang mesra dengan alam sekitar.

Unknown said...

Know we just wait what the another alternative that government do for solve the shortage problem in Sabah.

Sanih Alias said...

The Coal fire plant will change with another alternative plant. So just wait what the new plant will announce for Sabah.

Paquin said...

Saya yakin pasti ramai pihak yang gembira dengan keputusan ni.

Paquin said...

So macam inilah baru namanya rakyat diutamakan. Setiap keluhan rakyat harus diambil kira bagi memastikan setiap perkara yang dibuat disenagi ramai.

Paquin said...

Semoga tenaga alternatif yang dibangunkan nanti dapat menaggani masalah b/out di negeri ini.

Paquin said...

selepas ni harap takda pihak lagi yang cuba mempolitikkan isu coal plant utk kepentingan diri sendiri.

Paquin said...

Semoga alam sekitar dan keindahan sabah kekal terpelihara:)

nickko said...

thanks to CM and PM which not only give serious attention to the needs of energy supply in Sabah, but also a high concern on our environment.

nickko said...

I hope environmentalist and other NGO will work together with both the state and federal government to find the best solution to overcome the shortage of energy supply in Sabah.

Sanih Alias said...

The Gas alternative is better than Coal fire..This more friendly..

Nemia said...

I think Green Surf has nothing to do already.

CathJ said...

Good to hear...

onong said...

Nampaknya usaha kerajaan memang tidak sia2.

wake said...

Well, this indeed a good work.

Ezef said...

No more coal plant, no more anti here and there.a

noemi said...

Bravo!