Published on: Sunday, November 08, 2009 |
He said he made the decision to have the proposed coal-fired power plant project to be re-located to Felda Sahabat Felda in Lahad Datu since the project had been rejected by other districts in the State.
"First, it was to be built in Lahad Datu but the people there objected and then moved to Sandakan but the people there also objected so lastly in my capacity as the Minister of Felda I decided to build it in a Felda area. Its okay," he said.
According to him, the Federal Government was committed in addressing the power woes in Sabah and he had even directed the Energy Minister, Datuk Peter Chin, to ensure the problem in Sabah is addressed by next year.
However, he said that despite the dire need of power supply, the move to set up the power plant was objected just because it is using coal to generate power.
"But, if not we won't have any power. Our people must decide you want power at the same time you don't want the power plant. You want the plant somewhere else, not in your own backyard.
"So this is our problem we have wasted much time pushing it around," he said, adding that in order to achieve something good there is a need for all to make some sacrifices.
"We have to accept what is good and we have to be realistic. If we understand and are willing to sacrifice we will achieve higher level of development for Sabah," he said.
Launching the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) 24th Congress at Magellan Sutera, Saturday, Najib assured that the Federal Government was also committed in helping Sabah address the illegal immigrant problem.
But, he said the Government's effort was futile if the locals themselves continue to employ paperless foreigners to get cheap labour.
Whatever it is, Najib assured that the Government would not let down and that action would be taken so that Sabah would no longer be bogged by the problems of illegal immigrants.
PBS President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan had earlier in his welcoming speech suggested that the Government set a deadline i.e year 2012 for the problem to be comprehensively resolved in Sabah.
