MIRI: The Baram dam hydro project is still under evaluation and surveys, hence there is no need for the people in the constituency to be apprehensive of official visits.
In giving this assurance, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau urged the people in the constituency to give their full cooperation to representatives from Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) who are carrying out the Social and Environment Impact Assessment (SEIA) surveys in their villages.
“The Baram dam hydro project is not implemented yet. The government is in the process of evaluating the project that will take into account all aspects, and then the SEIA surveys will determine its feasibility whether the project suits the people’s will there,” he said recently.
Dennis said recently he was told that Chairman of Miri Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Peter Kalang and Anthony Lawai had received complaints from several rural folks in Baram that a team of ‘outsiders’ had entered their village and forced them to sign a form that they agree with the implementation of the proposed Baram dam.
“As the people’s representative who visited the constituency regularly, I have never been approached or received any complaints from the people about such dirty tactics used by irresponsible parties.
“I would welcome any feedback from the people if there is anything they feel not right and cause them any anxiety,” he said.
Dennis added that should any of the people in Baram refuse to answer the survey questions, they can just jot down the fact that they do not want to be interviewed.
He said an independent consultant hired by SEB to carry out the survey had told him that the Baram folks have the right not to answer the SEIA survey forms.
“Because this mega project is planned for the people’s benefit by a government that cares for the welfare of the people in rural areas like Baram, the project owner will never use any unwarranted means or force to coerce the people to agree with it.
However, he reminded the people to think carefully, not only for their own good but also for the future generation.