‘Penans affected by Murum dam in good hands’

KUCHING: Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) need not have to worry about the welfare of about 1,000 Penans who are staying within the construction area of the proposed Murum dam because the state government is in close contact with them.Land Development Minister Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said any plan which the government had for the tribe would be tailored to the tribe’s needs and suitability.

“We can’t equate the Penans, who like to move around, with the Kenyahs and Kayans who stay permanently at a place. We are still studying the element of suitability,” he told reporters when met after he had officiated at a tree planting ceremony at Taman Rimba Sama Jaya here yesterday.

Masing was commenting on a recent statement made by Suhakam commissioner Detta Samen. Detta said Suhakam was concerned about the welfare of the tribe who were affected by the dam project.

Masing pointed out that the government believed the resettlement programme could help change the life of the tribe to a better one.

“The government understands the needs of the Penan tribe, which are different from other Kenyah and Kayan tribes at Sungai Asap,” he said, adding that the Penans would be resettled in a reservoir area spanning some 200,000 hectares.

He also called upon all logging and plantation companies not to encroach into the reservoir area within the vicinity of the Murum Dam.

“Forestry activities such as log cutting would only damage the reservoir area,” he cautioned.

The construction of the Murum dam involves areas such as Long Singu, Long Tangau, Long Luar and Long Jaik.

When completed, the dam could generate 900 megawatt of electricity.