'Clashing' numbers on logging at power plant site
Published: Aug 20, 2014 9:28 AM | Updated: Aug 20, 2014 10:07 AM
Sabah DAP vice-chairperson Chan Foong Hin has slammed Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) director Sam Mannan for supposedly contradictory statements regarding alleged logging activities at the geothermal power plant in the Andrassy forest reserve.
Sabah DAP vice-chairperson Chan Foong Hin has slammed Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) director Sam Mannan for supposedly contradictory statements regarding alleged logging activities at the geothermal power plant in the Andrassy forest reserve.
SFD had said in September last year that only 150 hectares of land or less would be cleared for the project, which should yield a maximum of 7,500 cubic metres of timber since the average yield of a virgin jungle is about 50 cubic metres per hectare.
However, according to Chan, the Sabah state assembly was later told that 6,563 logs or 20,049.55 cubic metres of timber had been felled to make room for the power plants, which exceeds the maximum possible output of the land.
“Both answers were given by the similar department. So which figure we should take? Figures of logs felled and size of logging area should be accounted for,” Chan queried in a statement on Monday.
He added that sources in the timber industry had told him that a logging truck could carry 30 cubic metres of timber per trip, and therefore only 25 days is needed to clear the 150 hectares of land using an estimate of 10 trips per day.
“So why are logging activities carried out from June last year until now?” he said.
Chan further questioned Sam’s (right) motive in allowing a circle of logging roads to be developed when only one or two entry routes were needed to access the geothermal point for drilling.
The Sri Tanjong assemblyperson urged Sam to respond to his statement immediately in order to address the public concerns over the issue, such as fears of encroachment into water catchment areas.
“SFD must conduct a joint site inspection together with all stakeholders, involving local community, elected representatives and environmental NGOs, within two weeks after this statement issued.
“Failing which, it is reasonable to have doubts that Sam is trying to cover up any misconduct of stepping over the boundary in the site clearing works,” Chan said.
The project had come under fire for environmental damage due to its logging activities and road construction to facilitate the Malaysia’s first ever geothermal power plant.
The villagers in Andrassy, Appas Kiri in Tawau had complained their lives were being affected by the RM500 million sustainable energy project awarded to Tawau Green Energy Sdn Bhd (TGE).
Among the villagers main concerns were the supply of clean water as well as their safety, since the roads were utilised by heavy vehicles needed for logging.
SFD had said in September last year that only 150 hectares of land or less would be cleared for the project, which should yield a maximum of 7,500 cubic metres of timber since the average yield of a virgin jungle is about 50 cubic metres per hectare.However, according to Chan, the Sabah state assembly was later told that 6,563 logs or 20,049.55 cubic metres of timber had been felled to make room for the power plants, which exceeds the maximum possible output of the land.
“Both answers were given by the similar department. So which figure we should take? Figures of logs felled and size of logging area should be accounted for,” Chan queried in a statement on Monday.
He added that sources in the timber industry had told him that a logging truck could carry 30 cubic metres of timber per trip, and therefore only 25 days is needed to clear the 150 hectares of land using an estimate of 10 trips per day.
“So why are logging activities carried out from June last year until now?” he said.Chan further questioned Sam’s (right) motive in allowing a circle of logging roads to be developed when only one or two entry routes were needed to access the geothermal point for drilling.
The Sri Tanjong assemblyperson urged Sam to respond to his statement immediately in order to address the public concerns over the issue, such as fears of encroachment into water catchment areas.
“SFD must conduct a joint site inspection together with all stakeholders, involving local community, elected representatives and environmental NGOs, within two weeks after this statement issued.
“Failing which, it is reasonable to have doubts that Sam is trying to cover up any misconduct of stepping over the boundary in the site clearing works,” Chan said.
The project had come under fire for environmental damage due to its logging activities and road construction to facilitate the Malaysia’s first ever geothermal power plant.
The villagers in Andrassy, Appas Kiri in Tawau had complained their lives were being affected by the RM500 million sustainable energy project awarded to Tawau Green Energy Sdn Bhd (TGE).
Among the villagers main concerns were the supply of clean water as well as their safety, since the roads were utilised by heavy vehicles needed for logging.
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