Going For Clean Energy

From Green SURF:

Fired up by overwhelming public support for its campaign against a proposed coal-fired power plant at the shores of the Coral Triangle, a coalition of NGOs in Malaysian Borneo is commemorating its yearlong journey with global climate change movement 350.org and citizens of the world on 10.10.10.

Green SURF’s (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) Borneo-Global Work Party will feature a clean-up at two beaches – Kampung Sinakut in Lahad Datu on Sabah’s east coast which is ground zero for the proposed 300MW coal-fired power plant, and Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Green SURF and Sabahans are proud to be a part of a truly worldwide movement,with 5,000+ Global Work Parties in 175 countries on 10.10.10. In Sabah, we are already seeing the effects of climate change and we fully support 350.org’s efforts to bring global carbon emissions back down to and below the scientifically-determined safe level of 350 parts per million (we are now at 390 ppm).

Clean-up at both locations will start at 10:10 am. Green SURF members will work alongside citizens of Kota Kinabalu and Kampung Sinakut, strengthening the solidarity and self-organizing that has energized the movement in its ongoing campaign against the coal-fired power plant and for clean energy options. Participants and local artists will use the trash to spell out 350 on the shore, and guest DJs will provide entertainment. Green SURF has arranged with a local recycling plant to recycle all of the trash afterward. The beaches were chosen as venues to highlight their vulnerability to rising sea levels resulting from climate change.Green SURF is made up of Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA), Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch), WWF Malaysia and Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS).

During its campaign to stop construction of the coal plant, Green SURF saw support grow from day to day, and when it mattered most, over 500 people locally and worldwide wrote in to the Malaysian Department of Environment to give their views on a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment study. The Department subsequently rejected the study done by project-hired consultants. Following the mid-August rejection, it remains unclear if the project will proceed.

Love Hate Relationship

I no longer have free access to Sabah dailies as I walk into the office, or my copy of the New Straits Times to take home at the end of the day. Its been 7 months and 2 days since I left the paper (including the 6 months unpaid leave to 'cool off'), but I still have this desire to catch up on the news.

I try to grab local dailies in the morning at the Likas shops (note to self: subscribe!). And I read the national papers online, and I also subscribe to Malaysiakini and read other online portals. Facebook too is a good place to catch up on news. But its sad that a lot of it is news of differences between Malaysians - political differences, racial differences, religious differences and the worst of them all -- open and blatant bigotry. Which leads me to the title of this posting.

I have had this love-hate relationship with this country for a while now. I am not sure where this relationship is heading, but I can say with confidence what I feel pretty much comes from what I read and what I hear on TV. As I mingle with friends, and read status updates on FB, I know the situation is not bad. But the news is always sensational -- it feels like everyone is going to start fighting tomorrow and the nation is going to crumble. You cant blame me for saying this. Just 15 minutes ago, I read a news portal analysis warning that we will soon become Zimbabwe in every sense of the word except for name. I have not been to Zimbabwe, but I do believe its far fetched to come up with such a prophecy. I still believe most Malaysians are fantastic people. Just look at how we handled the Allah issue in January. I bet there were bigots out there waiting for blood -- but you and I didn't bow to them. You and I decided we should not let them win.

Whenever I feel like running away to pick apples in New Zealand, I try to remind myself on how great it is to be a Malaysian woman. I went to school, I got into a public university and managed to secure my first choice course and uni, had a successful career as a reporter for 13 years, and am freelancing on media projects now. I have my own home, drive my own car, and not everyone will agree with me, but I feel pretty safe on my own. I have had opportunities to excel in my career, with offers for promotions, but I turned them down at my own will. I do not support race based opportunities, but guess what, it has made me a stronger person. I had to do extra well at school, at uni, and later at work. Maybe I should thank Malaysia for its policies -- I am who I am today because of a combination of its forward looking and backward policies.

I don't think I am making any sense anymore so I will end this post -- by the way, I love Malaysia more than I hate it :)