Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network
(SAVE Rivers)
&
Sarawak’s State Level Conference Against Mega-Dams
16th to 18th February 2012
Bakun HEP
In 1986, the Malaysian government gave approval for the construction of a major dam to be built at Bakun in Balui, the upper part of the Rejang River in Sarawak. Bakun dam is the biggest in South East Asia; it has flooded an area of 60,000 Ha, a land area as big as Singapore Island. A concrete rock filled dam was built at 205 M high.
However, even before the Bakun HEP at the Balui river is on full load operation, another dam is already under construction at Murum, on the Balui, upstream of Bakun dam. Murum is the first of the 12 dams which the government is building in Sarawak which is supposed to be completed by 2020.
The River & the people
The rivers have always played a major part in the livelihood of the people in Sarawak and that is why there are a lot of settlements and villages located along the rivers in the state. The construction of mega-dams will diffidently have adverse and irreversible impact on the livelihood Sarawak’s people. Since the focus of having the HEP is theoretically for powering industries and factories in the urban areas, it is not for the benefit of the people who have to sacrifice in order to make ways for it. The projects will eventually be impoverishing rather than enriching the population who are resettled to give way for the dams. Those who are worst affected by the HEP projects will be the indigenous population who are also the minorities in the state and who are unique to the state and not found anywhere else in the world.
The construction of mega-dams will unavoidably force the population to move out from their traditional land, which is a significant part of their heritage and lifeline.
The dam will destroy a unique culture
In the normal Orang Ulu villages, even the very structures of the longhouses are traditional in nature, reflecting the social structure of the communities and thus keeping them united. With their social structure, order and solidarity is possible in each community. These social structures have been keeping the Orang Ulu in general like the Kenyah and Kayan, together from time immemorial, enabling them to face famines, wars, epidemics and natural tragedies. These structures are delicate and are now facing a lot of challenges from modern lifestyle and globalization. Mass relocation of the people will no doubt spell the end of the traditional social structure. This has been one aspect of the Malaysian scene which contributes unity and harmony through cultural uniqueness of the nation.
Approach in building the proposed mega-dams is unethical and immoral
At the moment, not many of the indigenous communities are aware that they are affected directly or indirectly by these dams. They are not properly informed and consulted. So looking at the proposed construction of the 12 dams there is a lack of compliance to mandatory or natural civility, where humane and even basic requirements should be met. All these requirements are spelt out in the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).The UNDRIP is meticulous in this aspect and Malaysia is a signatory of the document. Instead of being open and responsible, the proponent of the dam seems to play hide and seek with those affected. From the secretive approach they are taking, no one could be blamed for thinking that the proponents of the dam have something to hide. There are plenty of humane and viable ways to achieve development so that the end result will be a win-win situation when everybody and the nation could wins.
Formation of Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers)
At the moment, there is no coordinated effort by the indigenous communities and civil societies to campaign against the construction of these destructive mega-dam projects. Therefore there is an urgent need to initiate a state, national and international campaign against these mega-dams. Having this in mind a group of us, concerned individuals and a few Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) have decide to start a network of those who are against the mega-dams. We had our first meeting in October 2011. The network is called the Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (or in short: SAVE Rivers) and I am the chairman for the steering committee. Beside the steering committee we aim at extending the network further to include more of those who can support the cause, especially from those who are directly affected.
The objectives of the network are:
(1) Campaigning against the construction of mega-dams
(2) Gathering all affected communities and concerned individuals or NGOs to work together as a team
(3) Building up network for easy communication, gathering and relaying of information
(4) Sharing or disseminating information concerning the destructive nature or adverse effects of mega-dams
(5) Supporting activities or event opposing the construction of mega-dams
Last year we started with the campaign from a booth set up in Marudi during the Baram Regatta. This was closely followed with a dinner organize in Miri for fellowship and to create awareness.
Our first project this year is a state wide conference on the impact of mega-dams which will be held as follows:
(1) Registration at Telang Usan Hotel Miri and opening session for participants: 5 pm on 16th February
(2) It will begin with a sharing session after dinner at 7.00 pm on 16th February (You will be informed of the venue)
(3) The conference will be full day on Friday 17th to 18th February. (You will be informed of the venue)
(4) Actual venue for the conference proper will be made known to the participants at the registration desk
(5) Delegates at the conference will be from various places in Sarawak, especially from the proposed dams localities
(6) There are 8 speakers who will be presenting papers at the conference. All of them are knowledgably individuals, professionals, University professors, environmentalists, human right groups including a speaker from Suhakam, the government instituted, Malaysian Human Right Organization.
At the conference we expect to come up with resolutions and fine tune our approach. The highlight of the conference is the resolution which will spell the course of action to be initiated for stopping the construction of mega-dams.
To date, the Conference Secretariat has started receiving registrations via phone calls and the email from various places in Sarawak. From these respond we are confident to draw interest from the people affected. As we have limited resources and room, the conference will be on “first come first served” basis. Those who need further information can contact me, Peter Kallang on my hand phone,– 013 833 1104 013 833 1104 or contact Mr. Mark Bujang on 014 877 6685 014 877 6685 .
Best Regards,
Peter Kallang
Chairman of SAVE Rivers
Chairman of Persatuan Kenyah Miri (PKM)
Chairman of Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA - Miri)
Hand Phone: 013 833 1104 013 833 1104
