The proposed coal-fired power plant project in Lahad Datu has been scrapped after more than three years of controversy.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said a consensus had been reached that coal would not be used as a source of energy for Sabah.
He added that both the federal and state governments had agreed to pursue alternative energy sources like natural gas to meet Sabah’s energy needs.
Musa said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had asked Tenaga Nasional and Petronas to come up with alternatives to replace the proposed 300MW coal-fired plant in Lahad Datu.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the state Cabinet meeting yesterday which endorsed the decision to pursue other energy options, Musa said: “Sabah needs to increase its power supply to meet the increasing development but the state cannot afford to put its natural environment at risk.”
Thus, he said, it was important that the state places priority on protecting the environment.
“The environment is the biggest tourism draw,” he said, adding that the growth of eco-tourism depended on how the state kept its natural environment.
The proposed coal-powered plant in Lahad Datu had come under intense public criticism. A detailed Environment Impact Assessment was rejected by the Department of Environment.
“I know there have been certain objections to the proposed coal plant. Today is proof that such objections have not fallen on deaf ears,” said Musa.
Since the proposal for the power plant became public in 2007, environmental groups have been campaigning against it.
