KAPIT: The Baleh Dam Residents Welfare Organisation Committee will send a memorandum to the state government on the development of the hydroelectric dam.
Deputy chairman Bujah Jantai said the association and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) seek transparency in the project’s implementation.
“We’ve drafted a memorandum to the state government to come up with a complete package for the development during the pre-construction, construction and post-construction of the said project. The said package shall include the sustainability and continuity of the economic development plan, the community resettlement programme, infrastructure, health, education, local participation and internal security.
“Before the kick-off of the project, we need to have representatives in the Technical Steering Committee for Baleh Hydro and also direct access to any ministry concerned so that we can put our grievances and grouses directly to the responsible party,” he told a press conference after attending a dialogue on the project on Tuesday.
He said the proposed dam is supported as the people wish to see it become a catalyst for the development of Baleh.
“For the short term, we want to see the immediate socioeconomic impact of the said project, such as the fulfilment of basic infrastructure. The main road from Kapit to Putai must be constructed first. Apart from the main road, access roads to all smaller tributaries such as Merirai, Gaat, Kain, Mujong and Sut must be made available,” he explained.
Bujah also called for comprehensive economic packages in terms of agricultural development to be made available.
“This continuity and sustainability of economic plans shall include giving priority to the NCR (Native Customary Rights) land development perimeter survey, individual survey and titles, rubber block planting, fisheries, livestock farming, eco-tourism, and other economic activities that can benefit the people — they must be included in the plans.
“So assurance from the relevant agencies and the government are needed before the said project can take off. The complete packages shall be worked out by all related agencies, locals and the local authority, SEB (Sarawak Energy Berhad), state government, federal government.”
On the resettlement areas, he said they must be in line with the government’s policy of 21st century villages.
“The areas that will be directly affected should be given additional developed land or areas as compensation for their livelihood. Smallholder oil palm and rubber plantations could be considered as substitution. With the implementation of the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), we believe that there are plans that could be outlined and shall benefit us in the future.
“Meaning we want the government to allocate an agreed hectarage of land at the dam areas to be implemented for these programmes. The said land shall be developed with cash crops, so that it will become the main source of income for the locals. Meanwhile, in these new villages, other economic activities such as tourism and aquaculture should enable the villagers to make more income,” he said.
He added that locals should be given priority in terms of employment and business opportunities.