Massive hydroelectric dams in Sarawak are destroying the remaining forests of Sarawak, and violating the rights of the indigenous people who have called that land home for generations. And it gets worse… the Malaysian government is planning on building 12 additional dams by 2012.
The people of Sarawak know what happens when dams are built in remote areas of the province. While the government may promise that people will be relocated to prime locations, and be helped with new homes and good schools, the reality never lives up to promises. According to International Rivers, the Bakun dam, which was finished in 2010, put 700 square kilometers of virgin rainforest and prime farmland under water. An estimated 9,000 native residents, mainly from the Kayan/Kenyah indigenous group, were relocated and were forced to pay close to US$15,000 for homes, despite being subsistence farmers with no previous participation in the Sarawakian economy (Read more about the Bakun Dam here).
Indigenous leaders in affected areas — especially on the Baram River– have stood up against dam expansion. As they state: “Flood from the dam and the infrastructure associated with the construction will definitely bring irreparable damage to the whole environment. It will destroy a heritage for which all Malaysian or human race should respect and harness.” Read more from the President of the Orang Ulu Association in Miri here. Recently, it was announced that the Baram Dam would be put on hold, and that the Baleh Dam would go ahead first (read more about that here).
Now is the time to take action against dam expansion. The Borneo Project’s allies and partners — particularly the Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS), the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, and Communities’ Information and Communication Center (CICOM) — are leading the charge against dam expansion. The Borneo Project is supporting their work through helping with funding for educational projects, bringing international awareness to the issue, and campaigning against those are pushing these dams through, like Taib and his cronies.
For the latest information on the fight against dam expansion in Malaysia, be sure to check out www.borneoproject.org.
******
RECENT UPDATES:
8.29.11: No Dam for the Baram: Powerful Statement from the Chairman of the Orang Ulu Association: http://borneoproject.org/updates/no-dam-for-the-baram-powerful-statement-from-the-chairman-of-the-orang-ulu-association
9.9.11: 14 Year Land Rights Battle Around the Bakun Dam Lost But Not All is Lost: http://borneoproject.org/updates/14-year-land-rights-battle-around-the-bakun-dam-lost-but-not-all-is-lost
9.9.11: http://borneoproject.org/updates/baram-dam-put-on-hold-baleh-dam-to-go-ahead-first
12.5.11: Watch this documentary on the Bidayuh and the Controversial Bengoh Dam: http://borneoproject.org/updates/check-out-this-documentary-on-the-bidayuh-and-the-controversial-bengoh-dam-by-producer-andrew-garton
2.15.12 NGO Coalition Condemns Malaysian Dam Plans: http://borneoproject.org/updates/ngo-coalition-condemns-malaysian-dam-plans
2.15.12: Bruno Manser Fund releases secret Sarawak dam map: http://borneoproject.org/updates/bruno-manser-fund-releases-secret-sarawak-dam-map
2.22.12: Pictures from sealed off bakun dam zone reveal social and environmental disaster: http://borneoproject.org/updates/pictures-from-sealed-off-bakun-dam-zone-reveal-social-and-environmental-disaster
2.24.12: Participants of SAVE Rivers Conference reject the construction of mega dams in Sarawak: http://borneoproject.org/updates/participants-of-save-rivers-conference-reject-the-construction-of-mega-dams-in-sarawak
3.13.12: SAVE Rivers Network Celebrates International Day of Action for Rivers: http://borneoproject.org/updates/save-rivers-network-celebrates-international-day-of-action-for-rivers
3.14.12: Environment Campaigners Take Anti-Dam Protests to the UN: http://borneoproject.org/updates/environment-campaigners-take-anti-dam-protests-to-the-un
3.27.12: Bruno Manser Fund’s “Stop Corruption Dams” Campaign Achieves Major Victory: http://borneoproject.org/updates/bruno-manser-funds-stop-corruption-dams-campaign-achieves-major-victory
4.2.12: Norwegian Manager Accused of Duping Borneo Natives: http://borneoproject.org/updates/norwegian-manager-accused-of-duping-borneo-natives
4.6.12 Fooling China’s Dam Builders: http://borneoproject.org/updates/fooling-chinas-dam-builders
4.16.12 SAVE Rivers Hold Demonstration in Front of Hotel to Send Message to Community Leaders to Reject Baram Dam: http://borneoproject.org/updates/save-rivers-hold-demonstration-in-front-of-hotel-to-send-message-to-community-leaders-to-reject-baram-dam
4.23.12 Baram Folks Protest at the Proposed Baram Dam: http://borneoproject.org/updates/baram-folks-protest-at-the-proposed-baram-dam-site
4.24.12 Ceremony Disrupted by Protests Against Dam Project: http://borneoproject.org/updates/ceremony-disrupted-by-protests-against-dam-project
4.26.12 SAVE Rivers Condemn Cleansing Ritual done at the Proposed Baram Dam Site: http://borneoproject.org/updates/save-rivers-condemn-cleansing-ritual-done-at-the-proposed-baram-dam-site
4.26.12 Bakun Dam Left With No Reason to Exist: http://borneoproject.org/updates/bakun-dam-left-with-no-reason-to-exist
