Kaiduan Dam: Anxiety and anger resurfacing
Published on: Sunday, July 24, 2011
Penampang: The Infrastructure Development Ministry and relevant departments have been urged to hold dialogues with villagers who would be affected by the proposed Kaiduan Dam project here to avoid similar controversy as in the proposed dam project in Kota Belud."We definitely do not want the political shenanigans going on as with the proposed Tambatuon dam. This is about treated water supply for our future generation."To my knowledge there is no Cabinet decision as yet to undertake the proposed project. Before that, we have the obligation to ensure all the relevant voices are heard and considered," said Moyog Assemblyman, Datuk Donald Mojuntin.
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He said the statement by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan that the Kaiduan Dam is a must as reported in the Daily Express on July 16 had resulted in feelings of anxiety and anger among residents of the villages, majority of whom are in his constituency, resurfacing.These villages are Kampung Terian, Kampung Buayan, Kampung Longkogungan, Kampung Kalangaan, Kampung Babagon Laut, Kampung Kionop, Kampung Tiku and Kampung Timpayasa."Most of us realise that with the ever increasing population in the State, our treated water capacity would be insufficient within the next 20 years," he said, adding that Pairin, who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, had specifically mentioned that in the case of Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding areas, presumably Penampang, Putatan, Sepanggar and Papar, treated water from the Babagon dam via the Kasigui water treatment plant would only be sufficient until 2015."However, the affected folk are not satisfied with this statement alone.
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Our people now are more educated and better informed. They are asking about alternatives such as availability of water from underground source, other sites to build the dam and desalination.
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"They also want to know why the over 50 per cent of non-revenue water (NRW) in Sabah is not reduced first. Why do we need to build more water sources such as dams, when the channelling of clean water is not efficient (due to burst old pipes, delay in plugging leakage and pilferage)? "Also, if we reduce the percentage of NRW significantly, how long more will our present clean water capacity be able to cater to our needs?" said Mojuntin, who is an Assistant Finance Minister. "I'm sure these questions can be answered if the Ministry of Infrastructure Development together with the relevant departments go down to the grassroots level to have a proper discourse or dialogue with the people, especially with the villagers. "In this way, the basic principle of the need for early and full consultation is followed which is in line with the "People First" concept as enunciated by the Prime Minister," he said when met after officiating at the JBorneo "Tuhun Tavakas" Competition at Lok Kawi, near here.A briefing done by the company awarded the Letter of Intent is definitely not appropriate, he said, adding that they were supposed to conduct a feasibility study, not to brief the relevant people as if they had been awarded the project already. "It gives the wrong impression that the Government, in complying with the demands of the possible project concessionaire, makes decisions unilaterally. Thus, showing that the affected people are totally excluded in the initial planning. "In other words, it gives rise to the perception that there is no regard for the negative social impact to those affected," he said.Mojuntin said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, when asked about the proposed project and after being briefed on the 10th Malaysia Plan 2011-2015 in October 2009, had said that "the department would have to make sure that everything is properly arranged and planned before implementing the project." Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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