Verdict: Shelf the coal-fired power plant, Save the monkey?

Artist's impression of the coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.
Credit to: SESB Corporate News.

Please dump the heading. Don't take me literally. The title implied nothing about insulting anyone, any individual, any NGO nor does it implies my support for a coal-fired plant. It's just to express what is currently being adopted.

The plan to build it has been "halted" (read: it may be re-proposed by SESB) due to Department of Environment's rejection of the impact assessment (DEIA). What a cool call by DOE. Decision should be made based on fact and with professionalism.


Let's recall some of what our leaders said then and now, about the proposed plant:

Our Chief Minister said that Coal-fired plant in Lahad Datu is the best solution to address the power supply problems in the East Coast.

The Star quoted Datuk Masidi of saying Coal power plant in Sabah is history. He was assuming that's the end of the story. How I wish I can make the same assumption...!

Earlier this year our lost 'love spark' with coal-fired plant was re-ignited with the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water - Datuk Peter Chin - saying that the Federal Govt will be talking again with the State Govt to re-discuss the proposed plant. Okay, so much for a Green Technology there.

After reading that the proposed project was suspended, I tought I would not want to write anymore about this. It seem I was wrong. We really need to know facts and figures about other alternatives now that it apparently is not the end of story on the 'dirty energy' just yet.

For a start, to generate 1MW of energy through Solar, it'll require a land of about 6 acres to generate; not talking about cost yet. Note that 1MW (1000kW) is barely sufficient to power up a medium-sized timber complex or palm-oil mill. Just to keep you pondering.

Currently Malaysia has 6 coal-fired power plant, including 2 in Sarawak. If you have Sarawakian friends, ask them about their experience.

For you, Big Players of Green/Renewable Energy, take this:

"We have committed to purchase 100MW from Biomass. If ANYONE can provide 100MW tomorrow, we will purchase it tomorrow!" - Ir Abd Razak Sallim, Senior General Manager, SESB. He mentioned this during a seminar/briefing. I can quote a date and place if anyone's interested.

There you are, it's a challenge + opportunity.

Taklimat Janakuasa Arang Batu - SESB HQ

I was at the recent SESB Open Day (17 July 2010) to attend the briefing on the implementation of the proposed coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu. It was a half day "Taklimat Perlaksanaan Projek Penjanaan kuasa Arang Batu" held to brief the public (upon invitation) on the measures taken by SESB to mitigate ill effect of this particular method of generating power.

We were shown video clips of interviews, studies of the environment at the vicinity of the other coal-fired power plants in West Malaysia and Sarawak. Of course this was done by TNB or SESB, and or consultants in favour of this project. EIA report was not discussed but as i understand it, the report would be further deliberated very soon. On who will attend it, is still a question mark.

Will write more on the current generating capacity of coal-fired plants in Malaysia a little bit later.

What was missing was that there were no external parties making comments or presenting findings/concerns during the open day. Or, should SESB have invited one or two? Or, would they do that, can they do that? I really wanted to hear a second opinion. Maybe opinion from the folks staying nearby, interviews done by a non-interested party.

Nonetheless, it was an eye opener as I was like more open to opinion from both camps of 'for and against' now. I wouldn't shut my ear to the government's intention whilst listening to the concern of others.

For those who attended it, what's your take on this (the setting up of such power plant)? I'd say stay green, but is such project really the biggest culprit to the preceived hazards?/ accident waiting to happen?

Be in the know and judge for yourself.

UNDUK NGADAU 2010

Hate to say this but that's the reality: This is toooooo late an update for event that happened in May 2010. Okay maybe not an 'update' but rather 'late submission'; anyway it's for the sake of record. For future reference if you like.

Unduk Ngadau 2010, Miss Crystal Eve Huminodun (middle) is flanked by 1st runner up Miss Rochelle Fayrenie (left) and 2nd runner up Miss Lydia John Alai (right)

Date: 31st May 2010
Venue: Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA, Penampang Sabah
Time: 12.30 Noon onwards (winners announced - 5.30pm)
Venue accessibility: 1 (from a scale of 1 to 10), that's pretty bad!
Attendance: full mark! Congested and packed to say the least. So that's 10 out of 10.

Crystal Eve Huminodun (left) and Rochelle Fayrenie (right) smiling nervously while waiting for the announcement. You be the judge, which of the two deserve it?

Another look at the soon-to-be Winner and Runner-up

Uniquely Sabah - colourful traditional outfit of one of the Unduk Ngadau hopefuls.
Seen here is Miss Jaslinder Kaur, Beaufort Unduk Ngadau 2010

Sipitang Unduk Ngadau representing the ethnic Lundayeh.
"Ideh ngadan anakadi nih?"

Another participant, I could not recall representing which district (i think she's rep Tambunan). Someone please identify, thanks

Miss Appey Rowena the reigning 2009 Unduk Ngadau; making a special appearance during the crowning of Unduk Ngadau 2010

SEKIAN KANG-KARAM MELAPORKAN DARI PISUK-PISUK.