Sarawak takes over Bakun Hydroelectric Plant
BAKUN: The Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) dam which has the capacity to generate 2,400MW of energy was officially handed over to the Sarawak state government in a historic event at the plant here yesterday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the construction of the power station in Sarawak was in line with the national commitment and effort to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas intensity.
The project also demonstrated the close collaboration between the federal and state governments based on a win-win situation, with the federal government benefiting from the monetised asset and Sarawak acquiring a mega project to develop the state, he added.
“This project should be handed over to the Sarawak state government. For me it makes sense to give it to the people of Sarawak because it can contribute to the development of Sarawak, the value can be maximised with the proper plans by the state government, particularly in the development of SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy),” he said.
Najib described Bakun HEP as the biggest hydroelectric dam in Malaysia and the second largest concrete face rock filled dam in the world and the biggest ever project implemented by the government.
The power station was handed over to the Sarawak government following the purchase by Sarawak Energy Bhd of the total equity of Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd from the Finance Ministry and Federal Land Commissioner for RM2.5 billion last August.
It is located on the Balui River of the Upper Rejang Basin, 37 km upstream from Belaga town and the first hydroelectric plant under the SCORE.
Its development involved the relocation of almost 10,000 people living along the banks of the Balui River.
From 1998, communities were resettled from the riverside villages and longhouses to a township with modern amenities, improved access to education and health facilities.
“I took the decision to hand over the project to the Sarawak state government and to the locals based on two perspectives.
“One, Sarawakians will have the feeling of owning and managing Bakun and it can boost the spirit among the locals,” said Najib, adding that there is a huge potential to develop tourism attractions in the lake.
He added the project can give a huge impact to the surrounding areas if it is managed by the state government.
Najib said the demand for energy in Sarawak has increased from 1,000MW in 2009 to 3,500MW to-date and there is no need for the energy to be exported to Peninsular Malaysia.
The ownership of the power station, he added, would not only allow for the offer of lower electricity tariffs to the local people but also help draw more investors.
Najib also noted that Sarawak generated about 54 per cent of its electricity needs from its hydroelectric dams.
He said he was informed that the next phase that the state government would embark on after taking over the dam is to supply the energy to the nearby longhouses.
Before the handover ceremony, Najib approved an allocation of RM76 million to provide 1.21 hectares of land to each of the residents involved in the resettlement programme as a result of the development of the Bakun dam.
He also approved RM9 million for building farm roads in the area for the convenience of the residents.
He hoped that the provision of the land and the network of farm roads would enable the people to improve their income and help in the economic growth of the area.
On a separate matter, the Prime Minister assured that more development allocations would be provided if the people give Barisan Nasional (BN) a big mandate in the coming 14th general election.
“The 22-year prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) has no commitment for the people of Sarawak, his philosophy is to strengthen his power as the prime minister and centralise everything to him not to Putrajaya.
“He is not going to change. From his previous track records he is not a friend of Sarawak. He has described Sarawakians as lazy, greedy and slow. To me, Sarawak is a loyal friend to the government and the state has huge potential to be further developed,” said Najib.
He thus challenged the people of Sarawak to prove the 'old man' wrong by managing Bakun dam well and to develop Sarawak to greater heights.
He also called on Sarawakians to reject candidates from the opposition parties and to give full support to BN candidates in the coming general election.