Dam impasse resolved

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Relief all round as last families in Bengoh resettlement standoff finally agree to take their new houses

Dr Jerip (left) hugs a villager after the meeting ended on a positive note.

KUCHING: The remaining 49 households out of 204 families affected by the Bengoh dam project have finally agreed to take possession of their allocated unit of houses and the agriculture land at Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS), ending a lengthy dispute of at least five years with the state government.

In view of that, the resettlement process could begin as early as next week, Bengoh assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said after meeting with the group’s representatives at his office at Baitulmakmur Building, Petra Jaya near here yesterday.

Based on the court order, he said each household is entitled to a house in BRS, moving allowance ranging from RM8,000 to RM10,000 and agriculture lot of up to three acres.

Apart from the compensation, the families are also allowed to stay at their previous native customary rights (NCR) land provided they are within the perimeter and situated above the water level of the lake, Dr Jerip added.

The families that previously refused to relocate are from Kampung Taba Sait, Kampung Rejoi and Kampung Pain Bojong. In total, four villages were affected by the construction of the dam, including Kpg Semban.

“Today is a historic day in the development of the Bengoh dam and resettlement programme. It has been a long and difficult journey but because of the many efforts of relevant government agencies and constant work with various parties, the 49 families who had initially refused to move have decided to take possession of their allocated places at the BRS.

“They will receive all (rightful compensation) that belong to them,” Dr Jerip told a press conference after the meeting.

The meeting yesterday was also attended by representatives from various relevant government agencies including the Resident’s Office, Land and Survey Department, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) and Public Works Department (PWD). Batu Lintang assemblyman and practising lawyer See Chee How who represented the said families on legal matters was also present.

Among the issues that had prevented the 49 families from moving to BRS was free housing and compensation of land submerged by the dam project.

Dr Jerip explained that all the families who had agreed to relocate – and registered under the e-kasih – are entitled for free housing.

“We have received grants from both the state and federal governments to build the housings under the ‘Rumah Mesra Rakyat’ scheme. The housings are developed under the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) with Naim Cendera as the appointed contractor. Electricity and water utilities have also been factored in and each housing unit cost about RM70,000.”

He also mentioned that only 10 per cent of the 204 households were not registered with e-kasih, saying the group, amongst them teachers and civil servants, was only required to pay 30 per cent of the cost of the unit.

“We encourage these families to claim their house at the BRS while also maintaining their NCR land. The older generation may want to continue their agriculture activities, with livelihood depending on shifting cultivation, the younger generation may not want that kind of life anymore, prefer education and acquiring technical skills.

“The more enterprising individuals may want to use their three-acre land to participate in commercial agriculture activities. Their future is in their own hands but we want them to exercise their rights and receive their entitlements. It would be a new phase of life for them.”

The four villages, located at upper Penrissen, are not accessible by vehicles. The nearest pick-up point is Kampung Bengoh which requires about a two-hour journey by foot.

Relocated villagers will enjoy 24-hour electricity, treated water and road accessibility at the BRS located only 10 minutes’ drive from Bau and 20 minutes’ drive from 10th Mile, Kota Padawan.