Green Surf, a coalition fighting the federal government’s plans to build a coal-powered plant in Sabah, is lamenting that none of the country’s leaders are willing to fight for the cause.

It said support from politicians like Kalabakan MP Gaphur Salleh, who had raised the issue in parliament in the last session, was short-lived.

“He (Gaphur) was very supportive, and then he backed off. We don’t know why, but for us we have to just move forward until someone speaks up,” said Cynthia Ong, who is with coalition member Land Empowerment Animals People (Leap).

The coalition will attempt to present a memorandum to the prime minister at parliament tomorrow morning.

Mae Moh coal power plant in Lampang Thailand 061204 The memorandum against coal power and for renewable energy options will be accompanied by hundreds of postcards signed by Sabahans in protest against the coal-powered plant.

And even if they fail to meet the premier, they intend to spread the word to every parliamentarian they meet.

They have also scheduled an afternoon meeting with the Malaysian Independent Power Producers’ Association to state their case and also get their feedback on renewable energy options in Sabah.

Gov’t persistent on coal plant

“We don’t know which way exactly to go, but we have to take this step (to raise awareness),” said Ong.

Green Surf - which stands for Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future - comprises World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, Sabah Environment Protection Association (Sepa), Partners of Community Organisations (Pacos Trust), Malaysian Nature Society and Leap.

The coalition was formed in November 2009, two months after Najib announced in Tawau that the federal government intends to build a coal-powered plant on Felda Sahabat land in Lahad Datu.

This is the third incarnation of the proposal, after two earlier bids were shot down.

The first was in 2007, when the government announced a 300-megawatt facility to be built in Silam, Lahad Datu. The second proposal two years later earmarked Seguntor, Sandakan.

Both proposals were shot down on environmental and health grounds.