Press
Releases
Letter from
the Concerned Citizens of Belaga to the Deputy Prime Minister and
SUHAKAM on Bakun's impacts on downstream communities (English)
3 July 2001
Concerned citizens
from downstream of Balui River
c/o Ronald Bete Lahang
Lot No. 1048
Jalan Taman Tipong Tului
96900 Belaga
Sarawak
Yang Amat Berhormat
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Pejabat Timbalan Perdana Menteri
Aras 4, Blok Barat
Kompleks Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 Putrajaya.
Yang Berbahagia
Tan Sri Dato' Haji Anuar Dato' Haji Zainal Abidin
Pesuruhjaya Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Malaysia
Tingkat 29 Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur 3 JULY 2001
Honourable Tan
Sri/Datuk Seri,
Impacts of Bakun
on downstream communities
We, a group
of concerned citizens from the downstream area along the Balui River,
would like to draw your attention to several important issues pertaining
to the effects of the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam on riverine communities
living downstream of the dam, which in our view, have been disregarded
by the authorities.
We are deeply
disappointed that these downstream communities, who include the
people who live directly below the proposed dam and the residents
of the Belaga township, have not been identified as communities
who will be adversely affected by the project.
To this day,
the authorities have yet to announce any plan that would take into
account the consequences of Bakun on downstream communities, as
part of the project's concerns with regards to its impacts on local
communities. So far, there has been no preparation on the part of
the authorities to design relevant action plans that are able to
address the problems that may arise downstream in the future, as
a result of the construction of the dam.
Thus we would
like to take this opportunity to raise the various concerns that
we have regarding the dam's impacts on downstream communities in
the future. Below are the issues that we would like the authorities
to look into:
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Safety
of the dam and downstream communities
Although we are aware of the existence of an Emergency Rescue
Plan (ERP), which has been drawn up to prepare the concerned
areas for the possible occurrence of dam failure, we have
not been adequately informed of the procedures laid down by
the plan.
Considering
our vulnerable location, which is positioned exactly downstream
of the dam, it is only natural that we harbour anxiety about
the possibility of the dam suffering from any form of structural
or functional failure for such a misfortune would surely result
in huge financial losses for us and pose a threat to our safety
and lives.
We are
indeed extremely disappointed over the failure of the Government
to address this urgent issue. It is clear that our welfare
and rights have been seriously neglected in this matter.
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The
effects of the dam construction to the water quality and aquatic
life downstream and the livelihood and health of downstream
riverine communities.
The report
of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) that was published in
November 2000 explicitly states that the modified habitats
created by large dams often develop environments that are
more conducive to non-native and exotic plant and animal species
that may often out-compete the population of native species
of a river.
According
to the report, such an ecosystem may become unstable, affect
fishery resources and nurture disease vectors that can be
harmful to both humans and other species. As a result of this,
the river may no longer be able to support the historical,
environmental, economic and social components of its downstream
area.
Many examples
from large dams from all over the world have demonstrated
that these modified habitats could have severe consequences
on communities who depend on the dammed river for their livelihood
and way of life.
Worldwide,
many communities living along the downstream terrains of large
dams have had to face grave dangers and suffer economic losses
as a result of the construction of the dams - from enduring
the attack of serious skin infections to the loss of income.
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Downstream
pollution and other problems
As a result of the development of oil palm plantations and
the resettlement area for relocated communities in Sungai
Asap, we fear that downstream Balui River will gradually be
polluted by organic contaminants and pesticides in the future.
As it is today, the dam construction process itself has also,
to a certain extent, affected the water quality of the Balui
River.
In addition,
we are also equally worried that our present river transportation
system will be adversely affected by this project.
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Thus, due to
all of the distressing issues above, we, as residents living downstream
of the Balui River, demand that:
We
sincerely hope that the Government will be able to take the appropriate
actions to fulfill our demands as soon as possible.
It is high time
that the authorities begin to study the impacts of the development
of Bakun Dam on downstream riverine communities and recognise that
our access to a stable income and a healthy and safe way of life
may be adversely affected in the future as a result of the project.
In addition,
the Government must also continue to consult the concerned residents
with a greater degree of openness so that prompt actions can be
taken to protect their interests.
Thus, today we have travelled all the way from Belaga, Sarawak,
to personally alert you on the problems that we face along with
the demands that we have made.
Your kind attention
is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
1. Bete Lahang
- Uma Badang, Long Dungan, Belaga
2. Joseph Unak - Uma Aging
3. Sem Kiong Angin - Pasar Belaga
4. Lidom Jiu - Uma Punan Sama
5. Raymond Abin - Long Mejawali, Belaga
6. Semain Taja - Pasar Belaga
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