Anti-dam group says firm in their stand
Published on: Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Taskforce Against Kaiduan Dam (Takad) are staunch in their stand against the proposed RM2.8 billion Kaiduan Dam in Penampang. In a statement, Tuesday, they said the proposed project will destroy the rainforest's "little paradise" in the Crocker Range, including ancestral lands. "Exhibits on the proposed resettlement and the types of compensation offered, particularly small homes and land area, are strongly condemned and an insult. ADVERTISEMENT "We are firm in our decision not to receive any compensation. We insist the Government cancel their intentions to make the dam in the Papar River and find a more environmentally-friendly, risk-free alternative," they said. State Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan visited Kg. Terian and villages within the Ulu Papar vicinity on Nov 10 for a dialogue with the villagers. "Why is he (Pairin) only making the visit now? We invited him since 2010 but it took him seven years to finally come. "We will not accept any compensation, nor will we cooperate with the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) studies," they said. ADVERTISEMENT "The huge entourage of four-wheel-drive (Pairin's entourage) also caused damage to the main route, especially in Kg Terian. Some government programmes involving four-wheel-drive activities in Ulu Papar also caused damage to the roads, jeopardising the lives of villagers.
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"We do not want our roads to be used as a playground by Four-Wheel-Drive associations. Villagers have to fork out money to repair the road because the government doesn't do it. They plan to do it was only because of the proposed construction of the dam," they said, referring to the recent Borneo Safari event. "We urge the people to understand the biodiversity loss in this area (Crocker Range/Salt Trail) which is very close to Penampang, similar to places like Maliau Basin, Danum Valley and Deramakot Forest Reserve which maintains its originality."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili in his winding up speech at the Dewan Rakyat said his ministry has approved the Off River Storage (ORS) project where water will be stored for quality water supply. "He (Maximus) said this is the best option compared to building a mega dam, but unfortunately Penampang is not listed for the ORS project," read the statement.