TAWAU: The Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) launched a signature campaign against the Kubota Power Plant at Taman Milenium at the Takada Sunday Fair here yesterday.
The campaign themed “Don’t Sacrifice Us” and supported by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), targets a total of 20,000 signatures from the public.
Sepa Tawau spokesperson Gary Yap said the campaign would last until the project is relocated elsewhere.
“The people of Taman Milenium are also citizens, taxpayers and serve the country,” he said.
Gary said the government should deliver a project to benefit the people, but it is not right to sacrifice others except for those who have personal agenda.
“Sepa does not object having power plants but object on corruption and power abuse. Land Ordinance must be abided under the land acquisition as it is a residential area. The power plant should be relocated to a suitable industry area,” he said.
Tawau member of parliament Datuk Chua Soon Bui, who is also SAPP vice president, said SAPP is not objecting on government bringing development to people, but must ensure the benefits and health of the people.
“The government is forcing Tawau people to accept second-hand generators from Langkawi, and the power plant location done without any EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and without public consultation,” she said.
Chua said there is no reason why the site for the RM80 million project cannot be relocated to a suitable location.
“Since it is a fast track project, it should not sacrifice the people’s right,” she said.
The signature campaign that started at 9.30am yesterday collected 500 signatures from members of the public who supported the Taman Milenium residents’ protest against the power plant near their residential area.
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has given an assurance that all specifications in the construction of the Kubota power plant in Tawau will be met.
Its managing director, Abd Razak Sallim, said the developer of the project had also appointed an expert to carry out several impact studies on the power plant as required.