KOTA KINABALU: Petronas and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will soon be working on bringing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Bintulu, Sarawak to generate alternative power supply to Sabah’s east coast.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said this was to address the critical shortage of power supply in the east coast, especially since the proposed coal-fired power plant project was recently scrapped.
“I know that we have a critical problem in terms of providing stable electricity to the people in the east coast, and not many know that TNB was subsidising RM2 million a day for diesel used in the various Independent Power Plants (IPP) there,” he said at Gerakan’s Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Mei celebrations here yesterday.
Musa said the venture between Petronas and TNB was a directive by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the recent National Economic Action Council (NEAC) meeting, which came prior to his meeting with the premier, together with Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan on the proposed coal-fired power plant.
During that meeting, Musa told Najib of the Sabah people’s unhappiness over the project.
The Chief Minister said using natural gas for generating electricity in the east coast is doable but expensive.
He said he had directed Raymond to re-evaluate the proposal to send natural gas for generating power in the east coast.
“There has been suggestion before this that the gas in Kimanis should be utilized for generating electricity in the east coast. It will be much more expensive than coal but we are already spending millions of ringgit in subsidy all the same just to ensure that the east coast is supplied with sufficient power.
“So we have been discussing this option to see if it is viable and there will be a detailed study on it. But whether it is LNG or not, the Prime Minister had said that whatever it is, just make sure no more coal-fired power plant in Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, the decision to cancel the proposed coal-fired power plant in Sabah has received more support.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon, who was also present at the celebration, said the decision was a clear testament to the BN’s willingness and sincerity in listening to the voices of the people and highly welcomed by everyone.
“The decision shows that the government is ready and willing to listen to the grouses and views of the people. It really shows that we put the people first in line with the 1Malaysia concept.
“The concept says People First, Performance Now but now we can add People First, Environment Now to the slogan,” he said.
Koh who is also Gerakan president, said the party welcomed the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Musa to explore other alternatives for sourcing electricity in the state.
He added the decision not only received the support from the people but was also highly commended by environmental organizations in and outside the country.
He said Gerakan, together with all other component parties, would continue to support BN’s effort in protecting the environment.
“Clearly all parties support such a wise decision by Sabah as it is in line with our focus to emphasize on sustainability in generating economic growth under the New Economic Model.
“It also shows the Prime Minister’s commitment to continue making the environment the government’s main agenda. And this is highly welcomed,” he added.
Meanhile, Koh said more opposition leaders are beginning to ‘see the light’ in Sabah and starting to join the Barisan Nasional.
He was commenting on a number of Democratic Action Party (DAP) members in Tawau who recently joined BN.