KOTA KINABALU: Now that the state government has finally decided against the controversial coal plant, it should immediately speed up the construction of an alternative gas-fired plant.
The Sabah Progressive People’s Party (SAPP) said three years had been wasted due to the government’s indecision on the coal plant that saw its proposed location being changed three times before being scrapped altogether.
“If the government had made a firm decision the first time it received objections from the people, an alternative power plant would have already been decided.
“Perhaps, the project could have started by now,” said SAPP assistant secretary Shuaib Mutalib in a statement here yesterday.
Shuaib who is also SAPP Lahad Datu/Tungku CLC chief said people on the east coast are yearning for reliable electricity supply and such a basic necessity should not be delayed.
“The government must now speed up the construction of an alternative energy power plant,” said Shuaib.
Chief Minister Musa Aman announced yesterday that the project had been scrapped as the Prime Minister was concerned about Sabah’s environment and the sensitivity of the project.
The proposed project in Lahad Datu has come under heavy criticism especially after a Detailed Environment Impact Assessment was rejected by the Department of Environment.
But Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd through its subsidiary Lahad Datu Energy Sdn Bhd had persisted in re-submitting the report in the hope of starting construction of the plant.
NGOs, including the Sabah Environment Protection Association (Sepa), had campaigned against the construction more than two years ago.
The Sabah Progressive People’s Party (SAPP) said three years had been wasted due to the government’s indecision on the coal plant that saw its proposed location being changed three times before being scrapped altogether.
“If the government had made a firm decision the first time it received objections from the people, an alternative power plant would have already been decided.
“Perhaps, the project could have started by now,” said SAPP assistant secretary Shuaib Mutalib in a statement here yesterday.
Shuaib who is also SAPP Lahad Datu/Tungku CLC chief said people on the east coast are yearning for reliable electricity supply and such a basic necessity should not be delayed.
“The government must now speed up the construction of an alternative energy power plant,” said Shuaib.
Chief Minister Musa Aman announced yesterday that the project had been scrapped as the Prime Minister was concerned about Sabah’s environment and the sensitivity of the project.
The proposed project in Lahad Datu has come under heavy criticism especially after a Detailed Environment Impact Assessment was rejected by the Department of Environment.
But Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd through its subsidiary Lahad Datu Energy Sdn Bhd had persisted in re-submitting the report in the hope of starting construction of the plant.
NGOs, including the Sabah Environment Protection Association (Sepa), had campaigned against the construction more than two years ago.
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