Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WEDNESDAY-30 JULY 2008- COAL POWER PLANT- STUDY EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT: TAN

Coal power plant - Study effects on environment: Tan

KOTA KINABALU:

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah yesterday said the Environment Protection Department should conduct a study on the effects a coal- fired power plant would have on the environment in Sandakan. Its report and findings should then be made public for the people to know what will actually happen if the coal-fired power plant is built in the district, the Infrastructure Development Minister and Tanjung Papat assemblyman said. He however pointed out that the Sàte Government would not cause problems to the people just for the sake of development. Tan also said there is a need to listen to both sides of the story to find out the pros and cons of such a project. “I will be going to Sandakan tomorrow to talk to the people there and find out their opinions as to the matter,” he said. Tan however believed that the State Government is not in a hurry to build a coal-fired power plant in the State. Last week, the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiated a petition drive against the construction of a coal-fired power plant in the district. Sandakan Member of Parliament Datuk VK Liew when asked to comment on the matter said he is leaving it to the wisdom of the State Government to decide as to what to do with the coal power plant but it must take into consideration public opinion before doing anything .Liew who is also Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry added: “What we say is not important... what the public think is important”.

No comments: