MALAYSIA Sarawak activists denounce the construction of 10 new megadams

Hydroelectric dams on inland rivers in the Malaysian state of Sarawak are leading to the eviction of indigenous communities for the benefit of foreign investors. Communities do not have access to energy and biodiversity is severely affected. Activists’ complaint: “Scourge with serious social and environmental implications.”

Kuala Lumpur () – A project to build 10 new megadams, which will be added to the five already in operation in the state of Sarawak, in Borneo. Announced last month, it risks compromising the future of local indigenous communities, who live in remote areas and are destined to be displaced far from their natural habitat. This is denounced by Malaysian human rights activists, who claim that these mega dams only benefit rich local tycoons and foreign investors. In addition to displacing entire indigenous communities, the construction of such structures destroys valuable biodiversity through deforestation and massive flooding of forests.

Speaking to , human rights activist Peter John Jaban said: “I have just returned from visiting a communal house located near the Batang Ai dam, in Lubuk Antu, made up of 38 families. The natives live in darkness. “They have not yet benefited from the hydroelectric power produced by the dam operating nearby.” In fact, native families use a generator that turns on at 7 p.m. until midnight, they do not use electrical appliances and they do not even have Internet coverage. “I wonder: who really benefits from these projects?” continues Peter John Jaban. The activist points out that the construction of dams forces tribal communities to live in new resettlement places, far from their familiar habitat, where they previously lived, planted crops and hunted, while earning a living selling forest products for local commerce. “It is mainly for these reasons that the construction of hydroelectric dams is criticized around the world. If these projects benefit people, no one complains; but most of the time these projects are a scourge that has serious social and economic implications. environmental,” he adds.

The Sarawak Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Society (SCRIPS) points to five mega dams already in operation in the country. But it is not the people who benefit from these plants,” says its Secretary General, Michael Jok, echoing Jaban. “The economic gains from the construction of these dams largely benefit foreign industrialists and local tycoons.” According to Jok, SCRIPS opposes the state government’s plans to build the other 10 dams across the state, announced last month by Public Services and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi. Natives want answers from Sarawak’s local government. and its state assembly.

Narawi stated: “We have already identified the 10 river basins where river currents can be harnessed to generate electricity.” Sarawak Prime Minister Abang Johari Openg’s plan is to generate 10 GW of electricity at these facilities by 2030.” Jok told : “We want them to prepare a written working document on the construction of the cascade dams, with proper field study of the pros and cons. “We should be able to bring in our experts.”

Another Sarawak-based NGO, Save The Rivers, stated: “Hydroelectric dams built in the past have left false hopes and disappointments to indigenous peoples and local communities: problems and claims regarding compensation, land and housing are not resolved or deliberately ignored. President Peter Kallang told : “The government focuses only on economic benefit, for the state or for others. Due attention is not paid to the well-being of the people affected by these projects.” According to Kallang, safeguarding human rights and protecting the environment should top the list of priorities when implementing massive projects like these. “As indigenous peoples depend on rivers and land for their livelihoods, their rights must be respected by carrying out adequate, thorough and meaningful consultation before starting the project, based on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Free, Prior and Informed Consent”.