No dam decision cos folks object to study
Published on: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan challenged opposition PKR Moyog Assemblyman Terence Siambun to assist in carrying out a social impact study on the feasibility of building the Kaiduan Dam.He said no decision had been made because a social impact study had to be carried out first."Unfortunately, the researchers entrusted to do the task were blocked from entering the proposed area as some villagers even showed their 'parang' (machete) to chase away the researchers," said Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, when winding up his speech on the last day at the State Legislative Assembly.ADVERTISEMENT "After all, what is there to hide? Because we are still thinking how to store more water for future needs as well as ensuring stable supply of the water in the long run," he said.He said the aim of building the proposed dam was to ensure continuous water supply in the West Coast in coming years due to increasing needs of development and people for more water supply."It is not for fun building the dams…but let us think positive and allow the researchers to enter and have dialogues to have exchange of sensible views among the parties involved."In fact, studies by the Asian Development Bank showed that the proposed site could store 1,300 million litres per day compared to Upper Papar area that could only store 1,200 million litres per day," he said.ADVERTISEMENT Siambun said the Babagon Dam is almost 85 per cent full that could supply water to the people in Penampang and nearby districts even during the dry spell.
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To this, Pairin replied:"Do we have to wait until a water crisis has occurred in order to act or should we use our wisdom and right mind to ensure the supply of water to the people in the West Coast by looking into proposal that could assure that?"This is the question…that should be asked and thought about. Hence, that is why we want to conduct the social impact study that had been approved by the State Cabinet. Unfortunately, such purpose has been blocked by those who do not want the study to be carried out." Pairin said they have looked into how Selangor resettled those affected by similar project and suggested them to be put up in a Mesej programme to enable them to continue their economic activities.Kapayan Assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi said he is concerned about the resettlement of the affected people in the proposed site."In the case of Babagon dam, the affected villagers are not happy with the resettlement," he said.Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Wifred Bumburing said he agreed that building water resources as a long-term plan is needed but the welfare and wellbeing of the villagers affected by the project must also be given priority and looked after.He said Pairin should not cite as example the Chinese people who enabled the construction of dam in their villages as China is a communist country. Siambun said he totally agreed with Bumburing but that as the Moyog elected representative, he was not briefed at all regarding the proposal."Maybe there is a communication problem between the villagers and with the researchers because the affected villagers including myself have no knowledge and details about the proposal."I remember that a special dialogue was supposed to be held with the affected villagers and the authorities involved in the proposal but until now, no such dialogue was organised. "It would be good, in fact, as we can sit and exchange views and feedback in a two-way communication with them and get a better picture of the proposal," he said.Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong interjected to ask Pairin to table the proposal at the State Assembly so that it can be debated, accordingly.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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In this respect, Pairin said: "There is no need to table the proposal in the State Assembly as we did try to go to the ground but the fences were closed and the researchers were chased away by the villagers."We want to do what is correct and allow us to the social impact study and we can discuss this issue together and come up with a win-win situation."