Communities of Tutoh River and Mulu oppose to building of cascading dam, demand consultation

Communities along the Tutoh River expressing their views on the proposed cascading dams.

KUCHING, Jan 16: Communities along the Tutoh river and in Mulu have expressed their opposition to the proposed Tutoh/Apoh cascading dam, citing a lack of full community consultation and project disclosure.

According to a press release, a petition drive has been initiated and has so far gathered 500 signatures.

The petition raises concerns about the project and emphasises the importance of prioritising community interests and indigenous rights alongside development.

“We are not against development. However, we are very concerned when development projects are brought up in a manner where we, as the affected communities, are never first approached and informed of it. So, to suddenly read about it in the papers, we become very concerned,” said Ding Laing, a native of Long Panai which is one of the villages along the Tutoh River.

Before it is too late, the Long Panai community had sent a letter to the Premier’s office in November last year, requesting more information and engagement, but have yet to receive a response.

“It has always been our struggle in Baram. It is difficult to access and obtain information with regards to development plans and land issues from State agencies and departments.

“And, when we raise concerns and rightly request for information, we are perceived as uncooperative and resisting development,” said Celine Lim, managing director of Save Rivers.

She expressed alarm over the statement that the local communities no longer use the rivers and to her, such a statement shows that the government is not in touch with reality.

“While it is vital to transition to renewable energy, this energy transition must be just and that includes upholding the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) rights of the indigenous people.

“In our letter to the Premier’s office last year, we requested access to feasibility studies of these proposed cascading dam sites and research that highlights the connection of dam constructions as an effective crocodile population control. We also have not received any response,” Lim claimed.

Meanwhile, Willie Kajan, a social activist from Mulu said the communities are concerned about the impact of the cascading dam on Mulu, which is a Unesco World Heritage site, because the Tutoh river flows into the national park.

That has been why they requested for a dialogue with the relevant authorities.

“Consultations must be done prior to any development plans affecting our ancestral home and only then we can be well informed enough to collectively give our consent or not,” said Willie.

Willie went on to say that the 500 signatures that have been collected so far clearly express the sentiments of the grassroots and affected communities of the proposed plan of the Tutoh/Apoh cascading dam.

The petition is expected to be handed over to the Premier’s office at the end of the month. — DayakDaily