Save Sabah!

“ Risks from Coal Burning REAL. Stop the INTIMIDATION !

A certain assemblyman attempted to intimidate the masses as reported in a local newspaper recently : “Don’t blame Govt for power woes if …..” .

It bemused me to note the limited viewpoints expressed by the mal-informed assemblyman.

The concern and evidence-based details highlighted by the Sandakan Anti-coal Fired Power Plant are both real and worrying.

The world wide concern in many parts of the coal using countries are testimonies of the real threats and risks posed by the dangerous emissions of coal plants. Many countries are halting or opting for green alternatives or alternatives that are less damaging with much lower level of emissions.

Our Government should see the light in this option and likewise, elected leaders by the “rakyat” should see the concern expressed by their constituents. The issue of 50,000 signatories warrant the authorities to note the gravity of the problem and concern.

The phrase by quoted by William Arthur speaks well and true on the our expectation of our leaders on much needed quality namely “ Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation.” Unquote.

The main concerns pertaining to burning coal endow negative health effects and far-reaching environmental risks associated with coal-fired power plant.

Succinct details are discussed to reveal the risks posed from coal burning. The concern on attempt to use intimidation against the general public particularly the Sandakan Anti Coal -Fired Power Plant is taken in bad light. Intimidation doesn’t last very long and long regarded as a thing of the past.

The concern and facts highlighted are both real and worrying. Scientific details are readily available thanks to the advent of internet and its connectivity on the availability of updates on the adverse effects on the environment, public health, besides the long term impact on the ecology and the dangerous pollution associated with coal-fired power plants in many parts of the world. China, the US and many parts of Europe are paying a high price for this folly and are gravely impacted by the grave polluting effects.

The general public are better informed and no longer misled and manipulated by distorted facts created by unscrupulous personnel largely with self vested interest in their undesirable effort.

Nations with coal-fired power plants are facing serious health crisis from effects of deadly fine particulates and sulfur dioxide emissions, smog-forming nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide emissions, the primary global warming pollutant and not forgetting the highly toxic mercury waste.

It has been well documented that up to 70% of the annual emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal-fired plants particularly in the US shockingly outstripped all sources combined.

Yes, a 300MW coal-fired power plant may provide the electricity for our homes, businesses , factories and amenities. This pertaining question must be asked. Should we risk ourselves by such narrow thought of meeting short term needs and foul Sandakan’s air with long term irreversible pollution from the proposed plant that would emit millions of tonnes of toxic carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides annually, pollutants that are known and proven medically to trigger asthmatic attacks, broncho-related ailments in infants, young children, elderly, developing fetuses and also contribute to serious lung and heart diseases? Would our leaders like to stay within the vicinity of a coal-fired power plant? Amidst sniggers we know the answer.

Fine particulate for example classified as PM10 i.e. particulate finer than 10 microns in areas being scientifically monitored in the US have had documented major cases of premature death in people with heart and lung disease, triggers thousands of heart attacks each year, worsens respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, triggering thousands of asthma attacks, increase hospital admissions, emergency and clinic visits for respiratory complications, causes changes in lung function and changes in heart rate variability.

The costs associated with such risks in terms of mortality rate, illness, lost opportunity, poorer productivity speaks volume of the impending dangers we may be exposed to should the Government decides to proceed with the coal-fired power plant in Sandakan.

Environmentally, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and heavy metals emissions and wastes will invariably find its way to water and air resources. Acid rain formed primarily from the plant will damage our natural heritage, water resources and the pollutants will also stain and damage our buildings and places of historical significance. Sandakan’s status as Nature City will be irreversibly destroyed and likewise its reputation as the choice place for seafood will be forever tarnished due to the harmful environmental impacts from acidification of natural mangrove swamps and destruction of aquatic breeding grounds.

Heavy metals particularly mercury will be indiscriminately discharged into water ways and marine products will be rendered inconsumable as a result. The neurotoxic effects of mercury will include delayed development and serious cognitive defects, difficulties in speech and worrying state of motor function, attention and impairment of memory.

With the pertinent pollutants and risks associated with the emissions and dreaded pollution from the burning of coal from the Coal Power Plant it is only sensible for all Sandakan constituents to reject this proposal by TNB and SESB and stand in unison and up against the effort to such intimidation. Sandakan folks have come out of age and are wiser in exercising their electoral rights now.

To end I quote a poem by JSchade-Lewis and it goes :

No longer intimidated

by the what I once thought defined my life

No longer intimidated by your anger

No longer afraid to stand up for myself

No longer willing to back down and cower

To what you want and who you say I am

No longer going to let you ruin my nights

No longer going to let you take control

No longer going to let you be the one who makes the rules

Oh yes yes yes to you all

All you Lies

I am no longer the one who will sit back quietly

I am no longer the one who will just refuse to fight

This is my life, and this is my battle

I cannot give up now, I must press on.

You tell me that I need to lose, to admit defeat.

You are wrong.

No longer will I ignore the Truth.

No longer will I ignore the calling of my heart.

No longer will I endure this silent shame

No longer will I be the one to walk with shackles on my feet

To long have I sat here and watched the mud and mire drag me down

It is time to stand

I am no longer the one for you to impound

I am no longer the one for you to discourage

Find a new victim

Find a new believer in your trash

I am no longer intimidated

I further reiterate that we treasure our life. We treasure our generations and many generations to come. We treasure our unequalled Natural Heritage. We treasure Sandakan and we are not prepared to lose it all.

As such we are left with no option but to say NO and that’s right it is a loud and clear NO, NO, NO to the coal –fired power plant in Sandakan!

Charles Chow- SEPA Sandakan

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