LDP: Sabah must build own power capacity, not rely on Sarawak
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025
Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 Text Size: LDP President Datuk Chin Su Phin welcomed federal efforts to address Sabah's power issues but warned that importing electricity from Sarawak is only a short-term fix. He urged the state to develop its own energy capacity, especially through gas-based power plants like combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT), proposing up to 2,000 MW of local generation. This, he said, is vital for Sabah's ambitions in EVs, AI, smart agriculture, and digital growth. Chin questioned why Sabah was left out of earlier energy deals while Sarawak has long exported power to Indonesia and is now eyeing Brunei. He stressed that Sabah must not depend on others and should safeguard its energy autonomy and low tariffs. Calling for political unity, Chin said energy self-sufficiency is key to Sabah's economic dignity.
Advertisement 'Let us accept help, but never surrender our right to grow on our own terms,' he said in a statement. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Israel strikes Yemen's Huthi-held Hodeida port
SANAA: Yemen's rebel-controlled media reported Israeli strikes on the port of Hodeida on Tuesday, with the Israeli army saying its navy had hit the area following calls on civilians to evacuate three Huthi-held ports. 'Israeli Navy Missile Ships struck terror targets belonging to the Huthi terrorist regime in the port of' Hodeida, the Israeli army said in a statement. 'The strikes were carried out to stop the use of the port for military purposes,' it said, adding that the port was being 'used to transfer weapons'. Al-Masirah TV channel said 'two strikes by the Israeli enemy targeted the docks of the port of Hodeida'. In a post on X, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said 'we warned the Huthi terror organisation that if they continued firing toward Israel, they would face a powerful response and be subjected to a naval and aerial blockade.' Earlier, Colonel Avichay Adraee, an Israeli army spokesman said that 'because of the use of maritime ports by the Huthi terrorist regime, we call on all people present' in the ports of Ras Issa, Hodeida and Salif 'to evacuate them immediately for their own security' in an Arabic post on X and Telegram. Yemen's Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023 with Palestinian militant group Hamas's attack on Israel. The Iran-backed group, which says they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month Gaza ceasefire that ended in March, but renewed their assault after Israel resumed its military campaign in the territory. While most of the projectiles have been intercepted, one missile fired in early May hit the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport for the first time. Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen in retaliation for the attacks, including on ports and the airport in the capital Sanaa.
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Indonesia revokes most mining permits in dive hotspot after outcry
JAKARTA: Indonesia revoked permits on Tuesday for four of the five mining companies operating in the eastern archipelago of Raja Ampat after activists shared videos of islands damaged by nickel extraction. The cluster of islands and shoals in Southwest Papua Province sits in the Coral Triangle and is thought to be one of the world's most pristine reefs, with its clear blue waters making it a popular diving spot. Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves and is the biggest producer of the metal, which is used in electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Last week, Greenpeace Indonesia published videos showing environmental damage to three islands because of nickel mining projects, including one clip which racked up more than 15 million Instagram views. President Prabowo Subianto 'decided that the government will revoke the mining business licence of four companies in Raja Ampat', state secretariat minister Prasetyo Hadi told reporters. Energy and mineral resources minister Bahlil Lahadalia said 'they have violated' regulations. 'We believe this region must be protected,' he said. Greenpeace said nickel exploitation on the islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran had led to the destruction of more than 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of forest and vegetation. Environmentalists say coral reefs and marine life are threatened by the operations, but Bahlil denied the surrounding environment had been harmed. 'If people say the coral reefs and the ocean have been damaged, you can see for yourself. Please be careful to differentiate which one is real and which one is not,' he said. - 'Make sure they stop' - The NGO's campaign led to growing calls by politicians and celebrities for the licences to be withdrawn. The four companies impacted by the immediate ban are PT Anugerah Surya Pratama, PT Nurham, PT Kawei Sejahtera Mining and PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa. PT Nurham received its mining permits this year and has not started production but the other three have had them since 2013, according to the energy ministry. One more company -- PT Gag Nikel -- will continue to operate on Raja Ampat's Gag island but be closely monitored, said Bahlil. It received its operational permit in 2017. The three affected islands are categorised as small islands that under Indonesian law should be off-limits to mining, Greenpeace said. Greenpeace Indonesia said the decision was a good start but the government needed to take further action. 'We appreciate this decision but we need to make sure the decision will be implemented. We need to make sure they stop,' forest campaign team leader Arie Rompas said. He warned the government could reissue the permits later or the companies could appeal the decision in court. The activist said the government should also revoke the operating permit for the fifth company. A report last week by Climate Rights International alleged the Indonesian government was allowing environmental damage and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked by nickel mining firms in the eastern Maluku islands. Processing and mining operations have grown there around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, but have led to locals reporting a spike in air pollution from smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil carried by rain. An AFP report last month detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by that mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone.
Daily Express
44 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Petronas commits to staff welfare amid job cuts, pledges competitive separation scheme
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Last week, Petronas announced that the company would reduce its headcount by more than 5,000 people as it looks to cut costs due to falling crude prices. - FMT pic PETALING JAYA: Petronas has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding employee welfare amid a company-wide restructuring exercise that will cut about 10% of its workforce, including by offering competitive separation packages. The firm said that to support employees affected by this exercise, a comprehensive transition programme had been put in place, ensuring that every decision is made with fairness, respect, and professionalism. Advertisement 'Impacted employees will receive a market-competitive separation package – one that exceeds the minimum statutory requirement,' it said in a statement. The energy producer also said that beyond financial support, affected employees would also receive emotional support services, career coaching and job search assistance, financial planning guidance, as well as access to programmes for medical assistance, upskilling, and reskilling. 'The packages and benefits are structured based on employees' years of service and may vary depending on employee category and eligibility,' it added. Last Thursday, Petronas president and group CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Aziz announced that the company would reduce its headcount by more than 5,000 people as it looks to cut costs due to falling crude prices. He said those affected would be informed in stages through next year and that a hiring freeze would remain in place until December 2026. Petronas today said it had formed a transition council and people development committees to facilitate talent mapping and ensure that placement decisions are made collectively, guided by established platforms. 'This process also follows the necessary legal requirements and adopts the required industrial relations practices,' it said. The firm added that it had engaged with the relevant departments on labour and industrial relations under the human resources ministry to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Petronas is also collaborating with the Social Security Organisation through MyFutureJobs to explore placement opportunities for eligible affected employees in other sectors. The potential placement of affected staff with various other GLCs, including oil and gas companies, is being explored, Petronas said. 'Additionally, the company's entrepreneurship programme run under the Petronas Innovation Garage offers a guided pathway into business ownership for those exploring alternative career paths.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
