NATIVE communities were not consulted on plans to develop 10 cascading dams in Sarawak, an indigenous rights group said.
Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (Scrips) said the state government’s decision to develop the river basins was a shock as the projects could permanently alter the environment and affect the lives of the people living in the areas.
Scrips northern Sarawak coordinator Michael Ding today said highly impactful projects such as hydro dams should not be bulldozed through.
"There was absolutely zero consultation by any state ministers or state wakil rakyat with the local communities,” he told The Vibes.
"We do not even know which 10 river basins have been earmarked for the new cascading dams.
"Before the state makes any decision to carry out projects that can impact the rakyat and ecosystem in a big way, (it must) consult the affected population first.
“(Instead) we (had to) read about it on the news.”
Ding, who lives in the Ulu Baram district in northern Sarawak. said the natives are not against development but worried because many development projects in the past had caused irreparable damage to the environment.
Yesterday, it was announced that Sarawak has drawn up plans to develop 10 river basins statewide to supply hydroelectricity. – April 16, 2024.
