Sarawak govt urged to be more open about proposed cascading dam in Baram

KUCHING (Aug 8): The Sarawak government has been urged to be more transparent about the proposed cascading dam in Baram before it affects the indigenous communities.

In making this call, Simon Siah, a lawyer with Lawyer Kamek for Change (LK4C), also highlighted the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the indigenous communities that will be affected by the proposed dam.

He stressed that these communities rely heavily on the rivers for their livelihoods, and any project impacting them must have their full and informed consent.

“Together with SAVE Rivers and LK4C, we are focusing on FPIC because in many cases we simply don’t have the information we need.

“We can’t get answers about what’s happening, and that’s a big problem,” said Siah when met by reporters after the SAVE Rivers ‘Sembang Sembang Dinner’ event here on Wednesday.

He further emphasised the need for a freedom of information act, pointing out that the lack of transparency could lead to disputes and unrest among the communities if the indigenous people are not properly informed and consulted.

“The federal government and parliament are discussing the enactment of a freedom of information act, and I believe that is the way forward here in Sarawak as well.

“Without access to information, we don’t know where we’re headed or who to approach. This lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” he added.

Siah also informed that LK4C and SAVE Rivers are launching a petition campaign focused on FPIC for the cascading dam project.

“So, if the community, the ones most affected, don’t know what’s going on, then we have a serious problem. Without being informed and without proper consent, disputes are bound to arise,” Siah warned.

Meanwhile, SAVE Rivers chairman Peter Kallang said that the concept of FPIC is not only to consult the village headman, Ketua Kampung, Penghulu or local councillors.

“Remember, it’s not only them that have land there. If you build a dam, destroy the forest, everyone will be affected. So what you should do is consult everybody, and not only consult them.

“Ask them, give them the map, which part is going to be flooded, what things are going to be destroyed, you have to show everything.

“That is what they mean by the FPIC. How can they be informed if you don’t know where the land is? Just like what happened to the people by the Bakun dam,” added Peter.