More Oppose Coal-Powered Plant in Sabah

A group of Malaysian divers expressed thei concern about plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu at the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, off Kota Kinabalu, between 19-20 June 2010, reports Malaysiakini. The divers took underwater photos with a T-shirt with the words ‘Stop Coal Power Plant’ in a bid to stop the 300 megawatt project.

Videos of their call to halt the plant were shot on the shores of the Coral Triangle, signalling ‘no’ with their fingers, according to environmental group, Green SURF. According to the news report, diver, Shartner Liew, said that going underwater with a T-shirt was the group’s way of telling the government that they want alternative options to be used in generating power for Sabah. He was quoted as saying:

As divers, we are worried about the impact that the coal plant will potentially have on marine life at Dent peninsula, and the rest of the east coast. We want to spread the word to the nation to stop the coal-fired power plant. That is why we decided to do this together, as a team of friends who happen to be divers. We were joined by friends from other parts of the country.

Green SURF is a coalition of five non-governmental organisations opposing the proposed coal-fired plant planned for Lahad Datu. The news report states that the group is experiencing an increase in the numbers supporting the call for the government to use green technology to power Sabah instead.