Sjotveit (seventh left) with Anyi (fifth left), Laing (10th left), the executive committee of PKKS, and Sarawak Energy staff pose for a group photo.
KUCHING: Sarawak National Kenyah Association (PKKS) is ready to play a bigger role in putting forward the voices of the silent majority in Baram in support of the proposed Baram HEP.
PKKS executive committee members stated this during a courtesy call on Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit at Menara Sarawak Energy recently.
Present were Baram MP Anyi Ngau, PKKS deputy chairman Kennedy Chuk Pai Ugon, secretary-general Romulus Charles Agan, treasurer general Raymond Apoi Balan and Women chief Annia Selalang Lawai.
They were accompanied by political secretary to the chief minister, Robert Laing, Penghulu Paul Kalang and Pemanca Tony Kulleh
The group voiced their concern over reports that the proposed hydroelectric dam project was being held back and said it was high time the majority of Baram folk which supports the dam’s development be heard.
The group called for the dam’s preparatory works to start as soon as possible, arguing that delay in the dam’s construction meant a longer wait for the people of Baram to enjoy the benefits and opportunities expected to be brought about by this mammoth project.
Paul said the association was voicing out how the majority of Baram people felt about the dam’s construction being the impetus for development in their area.
He said some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who were against the dam claimed they represented the majority of the Baram community, but this was not true.
Alarmed over these NGO’s brazen act to deceive outsiders into believing this, Paul said more and more of the “silent majority” will come forward to voice their support and set the record straight on how Baram folks perceived the project.
“We want the project to take off as soon as possible. We are the silent majority. The ones who are loud are not the majority. They are just loud, but as the saying goes, ‘empty tin makes the most noise’.
“What ought to be done to bring development to the people must be carried out. I want to be able to see development take place in Baram during my lifetime and watch all our hard work become a reality.”
This sentiment was echoed by the PKKS committee members present.
Anyi said it was obvious the association was conveying the voice of the majority.
“The people of Baram are actually looking forward to the hydroelectric dam being built for it is an asset to the community there. They understand it is not the dam per se, but the development that comes with it that will benefit them greatly and open up the area.”
For that, Anyi assured that the association was prepared to assist in every way possible to get the project moving.
Laing said the people of Baram wanted the dam built just so long as their welfare was well taken care off.
“The word “we” has been greatly abused in Baram. The NGOs who are protesting against the dam have been claiming they represent the majority when in reality that is not the case.
“We should do our part to be more vocal to drown the voices of this minority group.”