Bakun HEP dam meant to benefit everybody, says minister

SIBU: The Bakun hydroelectricity power ( HEP) dam is meant to benefit the people, regardless of the way some quarters may view the project.

Public Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom has observed that as far as this town is concerned, there have been fewer floods since the dam commenced operation.

“There must be some reasons for that. Maybe Bakun dam is one of the reasons, apart from our good flood mitigation programme.

“Now we don’t experience flooding as frequently as before,” he said in officiating at the launch of ‘ World Water Day’ at Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Sibu office in Liberty Building at Pedada Road here yesterday.

Dr Rundi said the logjam occurring upstream of Bakun dam was probably caused by sudden rush of water that pushed the debris into the river.

“Anyway, it is not something that we cannot tackle.

“Most importantly, we want the people to reap the benefits from all the facilities that we have provided,” he said.

At the same function, Rundi also declared the official opening the new JBALB office here.

Assistant Minister for Public Utilities ( Electricity and Telecommunications) Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister for Science Research and Biotechnology Dr Annuar Rapaee, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Public Utilities Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Alice Jawan and JBALB director Daniel Wong Park Ing witnessed the ceremonies.