25 years later, longhouse folk near Bakun Dam still without electricity, says activist

DESPITE assurances by the state that the construction of the RM15 billion Bakun Dam in Belaga district in central Sarawak would ensure Sarawakians enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply, the situation is far from what was promised.

“Government leaders when constructing the Bakun Dam promised that it would supply the whole state with electricity and that the people of Sarawak would not live in darkness anymore.

“It has been 25 years and there are still so many communities in populated longhouses near Bakun Dam that are still without electricity today,” said social activist Harry Wing.

He claimed that the electricity lines from Bakun connect to the mega industries in Bintulu and Samalaju districts 250km away, while the settlements nearby have no electricity supply.

“We still depend on diesel generators and now, we are hearing of state leaders announcing plans to build another 10 dams so that they can generate electricity for the rural population.

“In reality, these dam projects are never meant to benefit us poor Sarawakians. The real intention is for the state to clear forests for more timber, and then get big money selling electricity to Kalimantan, which is home to the new capital of Indonesia,” he told The Vibes today.

Wing said now that the state government has announced plans to turn 10 more river basins into hydropower sources, the rakyat must protest.

“We must hold them accountable for the 25 years of Bakun’s broken promises and stage strong protests at the sites where the new dams are to be constructed,” he said.

On April 15, it was announced that Sarawak has drawn up plans to develop as many as 10 river basins statewide into sources of hydroelectric power.

State Public Utilities and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi announced this during a Hari Raya gathering in Kuching and said this mega plan is already being drawn up. – The Vibes, April 17, 2024