See challenges State to global transparency

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KUCHING: PKR Sarawak vice chairman See Chee How yesterday called on the state government and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to discard the ‘kampung mentality’ if the state wants to pursue its objective of building 12 mega dams.

He said the state must assume a ‘superpower mindset’ by adopting and implementing international standards and principles in the projects undertaken by SEB.

“Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit (of SEB) can only live up to his billing as a top CEO and boast about leading SEB in a dramatic transformation to make Sarawak an energy powerhouse to propel greater investment and employment in the state, if he can convince the state government to do it (adopt and implement international standards and principles),

“With a total land area of 124,450 sq. km and an ambition to fill it with 12 mega dams, this is unrivalled in this world.”

See, who is also Batu Lintang assemblyman, was commenting on yesterday’s Borneo Post front-page report in which Torstein was quoted as saying SEB is ready to build both Baram hydroelectricty power (HEP) and Bakun HEP dams by end of next year after completion of the viability reports.

Torstein had also said that they are looking at other HEP projects including Pelagus, Belaga and Limbang as well.

See believed with the present mindset and the legislatures with requirements and compliance of the terms and stipulations of project cost-benefits analysis, environmental impact assessments (EIA) and social impact studies, the state government and SEB will continue to suffer the wrath of the affected indigenous communities and the fast developing and mounting international dissent.

“As at present, the state is still leaving it to the project proponent to engage its own consultants to carry out the EIAs and cost-benefits analysis which clearly has tainted the objectivity and impartiality of the reports and studies.

“Further, nobody knows whether there is such study as cost-benefits analysis are undertaken, as they are shrouded in secrecy and are not open for public scrutiny,” he said.

“In this respect, Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit who arrived with his international credentials, is a huge disappointment because he had failed to raise the necessary standards of compliance, and Sarawak will never be able to achieve its objectives of transforming the state to be powerhouse to propel greater investment and employment.“

“The international community will not have the confidence to take us seriously, hence the desired results and achievements will not be met,” he said.