The Borneo Post

Don’t jump gun on proposed cascading dams, says Gerawat

- Philip Kiew

MIRI: The decision whether or not to proceed with the state government’s proposed cascading dam projects is still subject to a feasibilit­y study which has to be carried out to assess their technical and commercial viability, said Datuk Gerawat Gala.

The Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department assured the concerns of the affected communitie­s will be taken into account to ensure their interests and socioecono­mic welfare are taken care of and improved.

“Those reported to be against the building of cascading dams should not jump the gun and start campaignin­g against the proposal even before the feasibilit­y study is conducted, and even before a final decision is made.

“Wait for the right informatio­n to be communicat­ed during the engagement sessions to be conducted and raise your views, concerns and suggestion­s during these engagement sessions.

“Keep an open mind and be rational instead of getting agitated and emotional prematurel­y,” said Gerawat, who is Mulu assemblyma­n.

Gerawat was responding to a report in The Borneo Post on Wednesday where Miribased civil society organisati­on SAVE Rivers said it was busy collecting signatures from the local communitie­s for a petition expressing concern about the Tutoh-Apoh cascading dam project, and demanding for the local communitie­s’ interest not to be sidelined in the proposed developmen­t.

The petition, currently 500-signature strong, will be directed to the Sarawak Premier’s Office, according to SAVE Rivers. Gerawat said as part of the feasibilit­y study, the Sarawak government and the implementi­ng agency will engage with the affected communitie­s and will take into considerat­ion their concerns and interests.

The cascading dam concept, he pointed out, is very different from the Bakun, Murum and Baleh hydroelect­ric dams as it will not create a huge reservoir or flood big land areas.

“The environmen­tal impact will be relatively minimal. There are many countries where cascading dams have been built which have been operating safely with minimal social and environmen­tal impact.”

Gerawat also said the government would consider giving opportunit­ies for the local community to have a share in the cascading dam as a source of revenue for them.

“The government respects the wishes of the people and will not force any developmen­t against their wishes,” he said, while stressing that all developmen­t planned by the government is for the benefit of the people.

Meanwhile, in response to a call by Senator Abun Sui Anyit that engagement sessions be conducted with the local communitie­s, which was reported by The Borneo Post on the same day, Gerawat said Sarawak Energy Berhad will hold engagement­s and consultati­ons during which community representa­tives including nongovernm­ental organisati­ons from the affected areas can make known and forward their views and suggestion­s.

“As I have already mentioned, the government does take into account the past experience and lessons learnt from the Bakun, Murum and ongoing Baleh dams to ensure that the proposed cascading dams, which is a different approach using different technology, will bring better and greater socioecono­mic opportunit­ies and benefit for the local communitie­s.

“The government will give priority to the rights and legitimate interest of the affected local communitie­s in the implementa­tion of the cascading dams,” he said.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had on Sunday said that the state government had received letters of approval from the local communitie­s to build cascading dams along Sungai Belaga, Sungai Gaat and Sungai Tutoh.

He said that the constructi­on of the dams would be carried out by private companies, with the electric cable grid routes provided by Sarawak Energy Berhad.

Those reported to be against the building of cascading dams should not jump the gun and start campaignin­g against the proposal even before the feasibilit­y study is conducted, and even before a final decision is made.

Datuk Gerawat Gala

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