PM Must Address The Local Sentiments First

http://www.asiatimes.com.my/news.php?newsid=26066

Apart from LDP, SAPP is another political party openly opposing the adoption of coal-fired power plant in Sabah.

The difference between the two parties over the power issue is that LDP is in the government and SAPP is an independent opposition party now on its own.

PM had come and left with doubts whether Federal government is sincere in resolving the pressing problems in Sabah.

The rejection of coal-fired power plant project in any part of Sabah is purely a clear demonstration of high awareness of the Sabahan on environmental issues, and not so much of political.

The proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah, had never been a popular idea since its infamous damages caused to the residents and its surroundings have been unfavourably known all over.

For a state focusing on eco-tourism, the introduction of the coal-fired power plant means a threat to the industry and the state future income. General consensus is that a pristine environment is the key ingredient in the continuation of eco-tourism. There have been several verbal guarantees undertaking by various VIPs on the security and safety of the coal-fired power plant. How good are these guarantees?

The regional sentiment is high in this part of the world due largely caused by the unbalanced status of developments in the past 46 years. PM has a lot to catch up especially on how to eliminate the unjust feelings now felt generally in Sabah.

The vocal appeals over various local issues from LDP via its women and youth wings shows that people are more vocal and getting more proactively involved in the administration of the public affairs.

The sentiments against the central government, especially in the urban area, are high because promised projects are not forthcoming to ease the hardship of the people, or somewhat too slow to act, and like the QEH affairs, there is simply no significant progress on the improvement of hospital services ever since the main tower block was declared unsafe in November, 2008.