KUALA LUMPUR – Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has pushed on with a ground-breaking ceremony for the Nenggiri hydroelectric dam project today despite protest and objections by the Orang Asli community in Ulu Nenggiri, Gua Musang, Kelantan to halt the construction of the dam in the area.
In a statement today, TNB justified its actions by stressing that the RM5 billion project is another green energy generation by the utility company to preserve human life and the environment as well as to increase the stability of electricity supply for the people and the country.
When operational, TNB explained that the hydroelectric dam will contribute an average of 600-gigawatt (GW) hour a year, thus preventing 355,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by heat plant operations (fossil fuels).
Among other benefits of the dam, TNB said, would be its implementation would help the government to achieve the target of 31% Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in the country’s electricity supply by 2025 and 40% by 2035 as well as bring multiplied benefits to Kelantan.
“Not only in terms of reducing the effects of floods and droughts, but it also can stimulate various economic activities beyond the local community.
“The project also has the potential to be an economic entity that opens up local employment and business opportunities in various fields such as construction, food and retail, as well as new industries such as eco-tourism and aquaculture, thereby improving the socio-economic and living standards of local communities,” the energy supplier said.
Prior to the commencement of construction work, TNB said it had obtained all the necessary approvals including the Mineral Potential Study, Public Acceptance Study, Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment and Heritage Impact Study.
Boost renewable energy capacity in Peninsular: Takiyuddin
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who was quoted in the statement, said the dam will boost renewable energy electricity capacity in Peninsular Malaysia.
Takiyuddin was quoted as saying that the project would play a role in driving the transition of the country’s energy industry.
“This is something entrusted to TNB for the benefit of the people and the country which demands the role and commitment of TNB, especially in preserving the environment,” he said in the ground-breaking ceremony.
On Tuesday, over 100 Orang Asli, mostly from the Temiar tribe, gathered in Putrajaya to urge the federal government to put a stop to the Nenggiri Dam project planned over some 5,384ha of virgin rainforest in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
The protest, organised by indigenous rights group Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan, saw affected community members who had travelled from Gua Musang submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the Perdana Putra complex.
They stated that the hydroelectric dam threatens the livelihoods, rights and identities of some 5,000 Orang Asli residing in the sprawling area in southern Kelantan.
In response, TNB stated that they worked closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to carry out the project in full compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements set by the authorities, including the Orang Asli Development Department and the Forestry Department.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Deputy Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said he would have a meeting with the Orang Asli community in Ulu Nenggiri regarding the construction of a hydroelectric dam in the area.
Rahman said the meeting would discuss the dissatisfaction of residents in three areas – Kg Pos Tohoi, Pos Wias, and Pos Pulat. – The Vibes, June 12, 2022
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