Intense lobbying has stalled decision-making for the 2,000MW coal-fired power plant under Project 3B

Not needed yet: The Jimah coal-fired power plant is set to operate in July but given the current excess in electricity supply, power will not be needed till 2011 or 2012

THE unprecedented delay in the award of the multi-billion-ringgit 2,000MW coal-fired power plant under Project 3B underlines the intense politicking involved in the decision-making process.

Malaysia’s Energy Commission (EC), the body set up to regulate the energy sector, has not kept to its self-imposed Jan 20 deadline to announce the winner of the tender.