Sarawak Energy Bhd denies work on Baram Dam has started

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KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) will not commence construction of the proposed Baram Dam until the Social Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) has been completed and its findings shared with the government and other stakeholders.

“The consultant for the proposed project is now making the report of the (SEIA) study,” the company said through a press statement in response to concerns that the build-up of machinery and other equipment at the site in recent days was a signal that the contractor would begin construction work soon.

An English daily reported yesterday that SEB had been sending equipment and machinery to the proposed dam site over the last couple of days, citing information provided by SAVE Rivers, which the NGO had received from the residents of Long Nahah’a and Long Kesseh.

Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) chairman Peter Kallang yesterday morning sent out an SMS alert to members of the media which reads; “Lots of machinery are seen sent by Sarawak Energy’s contractor to locations near the proposed site for Baram Dam. Suspect that construction team started mobilising”.

SEB also denied that construction of the dam had begun, explaining that the presence of the machinery was for a soil investigation study.

“SEB categorically states that no construction of hydroelectric project is underway in the Baram area. The current activity onsite is actually the detailed Soil Investigation (SI) study done by the contractors and are not construction-based.

“SEB wishes to state that people in the area (Long Nahah’a and Long Kesseh) have been informed of the activities through consultation dialogues with Sarawak Energy and the contractors before the soil investigations take place,” it said.

The company also condemned the latest allegations as “fabrication by certain NGOs as part of a long line of irresponsible smear tactics to spread fear and foster confusion among the people”.

“The state’s hydroelectric vision will generate socio-economic growth for all Sarawakians, especially indigenous communities living below the poverty line. An element of each project sees Sarawak Energy and the state government developing sustainable living and sustainable income for indigenous communities that would see them elevated above the poverty line with sustainable monthly income, a fact quite the opposite to that purported by the NGOs.”

When contacted for his response, Kallang said a police report had been lodged over the latest incident.

“The people who witnessed the movement of equipment have lodged a police report today (yesterday) on the basis that the EIA report has not been completed and the (consultation) process still ongoing yet they have started to move the equipment there,” he said.

He also questioned why another soil investigation study had to be done when at least two such studies had already been carried out.

“Furthermore, if they are soil investigation studies, why do they need two big trailers going to the site two days ago? A formal statement will be issued soon to respond to SEB’s statement,” he said.