LAHAD DATU:
A local businessman had written to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd with copies to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman on 18 March calling for the proposed RM1 billion coal-fired power plant project at Darvel Bay in Silam to be scrapped. Tio Chee Hing, who described the setting up the power plant as akin to dropping a hydrogen bomb on the people in the district, said the operation of such a plant would cause extensive irreversible damage to the surrounding ecologically sensitive environment and pose a serious threat to the livelihood and health of thousands of people. He said it would severely affect marine life in Darvel Bay and the people living here, and even their future generation would have to pay the potentially enormous price. Tio strongly suggested the power plant project be relocated to a more suitable place with the least environmental impact. He insisted that the welfare, health and future of the people must be protected at all costs, and he is prepared to take his fight to the court for an injunction to prevent the project from being implemented.
