Updates

Protest in Kuala Lumpur Against Murum and Baram Dam

A peaceful protest against mega dam projects in Sarawak took place outside the Kuala Lumpur Parliament building yesterday morning. Protesters held signs against the Murum Dam and Baram Dam, asking the Malaysian government to respect indigenous demands for a fair settlement or stop construction of the dams altogether. Read more...

Read More >

As Impoundment Begins, Penan Renew Blockade at Murum

“Open your eyes wide for us. We demand our rights because we are not satisfied with the decisions that have been taken. Pay attention to our precise demands!” Take action and tell the Sarawak government and Sarawak Energy that they need respect the rights of the people of Murum: Click...

Read More >

Sabah Revisits Controversial Coal Plant Project

Plans to build a controversial coal-fired plant in Sabah, Malaysia are being revisited two years after the proposal was defeated by a grassroots movement. The project is now expected to face regional and international opposition. Read more from Mongabay Read more about Climate Policy then join the conversation on Facebook...

Read More >

Murum Dam Flooding Begins as Penan Continue Protest

Despite ongoing protests and a human blockade by a group of over 100 indigenous Penan, the Sarawak Energy Berhad has confirmed that flooding has begun at the site of the Murum hydroelectric dam in Sarawak, Malaysia. Read more from Malaysiakini on Yahoo! News Malaysia Read a history of the Penans’ struggle with dam builders...

Read More >

Penan Villagers Resume Murum Dam Blockade

A group of indigenous Penan has resumed protest against the construction of the Murum hydroelectric dam, claiming that the government has not met demands for fair compensation. Acceptable reparation would include enough land to be self-sufficient through farming, a share of the dam’s profits, and full redress for land lost,...

Read More >

Malaysian Palm Oil Council Funds Borneo Elephant Sanctuary

The Borneo Elephant Sanctuary, Borneo’s first sanctuary for elephants, opened last week, and will rehabilitate elephants to be released back into the wild. Interestingly, the sanctuary was funded largely by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, whom the Sabah Wildlife Department thanked publicly in a statement. Read more from the Borneo...

Read More >

Murum Dam Project Relocates Penan Families

Nearly one hundred Penan families have been relocated to a “modern” village to make way for a hydroelectric dam project in Sarawak, Malaysia. Read more from Free Malaysia Today Read more about hydroelectric dams in Sarawak then join the conversation on Facebook Native communities affected by the Murum hydroelectric project...

Read More >

Our Opinion: Why I Don’t Want to Hold an Orangutan

Why I Don’t Want to Hold an Orangutan, by Kaleigh Rhoads, former Communications Intern for the Borneo Project I left Berkeley on Tuesday night, lost my Wednesday in travel, and arrived in Kuching on Thursday afternoon. The only “Yank” in my group, the other six volunteers and I spent the evening eating Laksa, a spicy Sarawakian...

Read More >

Survey of Borneo Villagers Reveals Strong Opposition to Deforestation

A recent survey published in the journal PLOS ONE has documented large-scale opposition to deforestation among villagers across Borneo, who cited concerns over increasing temperatures and air and water pollution as main reasons for the objection. Read more below. Read more from Mongabay Read more about Forest Policy in Borneo and then join the discussion...

Read More >