Video campaign on Atkinson Clock Tower

Queville To

After a victorious public drive against the coal-fired power plant, the next battle is to save an iconic site in the city.

KOTA KINABALU: Coming on the heels of a victorious public campaign against the proposed coal-fired power plant, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has launched a video on the iconic Atkinson Clock Tower in the hope of pressuring the state government to end its plans to develop the area.

Party information chief, Chong Pit Fah, said the video to be aired over sabahtv.net was part of SAPP’s efforts to help the people preserve the historical clock tower which sits on Signal Hill.

“Now that people’s power plus the persistence of NGOs like Green Surf has prevailed in the coal-fired power plant issue, we turn our attention to the Atkinson Clock Tower. We want development next to it stopped.

“The development of the mixed-commercial building will surely affect the clock tower. so the video uploaded in sabahtv.net is another campaign by SAPP to fight for the people,” he said here yesterday.

He said that SAPP was among those who had objected to the environmentally destructive coal-fired power plant.

In the case of the Atkinson Clock Tower, he said that SAPP also wants the government to respect the wishes of Sabahans, who considered the clock tower an integral part of Kota Kinabalu’s history.

Chong hoped the government will not delay its decision on the clock tower like it did to the coal-fired plant project.

He said that as a result of government dilly-dallying, the power plant issue had dragged on for three years.

“We hope this time the government will act swiftly to stop the mixed-commercial development near the Atkinson Clock Tower,” he said.

According to him, SAPP would not waver in its struggle for the people and would continue fighting for Sabahans.

“Unlike Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders like Herbert Timbon Lagadan and Johnny Mositun who are only the mouthpieces of their political masters, SAPP is true to the people’s heart.

“What are the BN leaders who have accused SAPP of politicising the coal-fired power plant going to say now?” he asked.

Chief Minister Musa Aman on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the proposed coal-fired power plant after chairing the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, saying Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was concerned about the environment and sensitivity of the people.