SEB urges Murum detractors to refer to action plan

Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has urged detractors of the Murum hydroelectric dam project, particularly non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to refer to the Resettlement Action Plan for clarification instead of creating confusion among the people. 

It said the communities affected would be compensated and relocated according to the timeline set in the plan despite their requests for immediate compensation, and amenities and utilities enjoyed by Long Wat residents. 

“We are still discussing their requests for immediate relocation to new longhouses and clarification on compensation packages. However, Sarawak Energy will not entertain the demands made by outsiders converging at the site,” it said in the statement today. 

Since the closure of the diversion tunnel gate and the start of the dam impoundment last Saturday, SEB said it received queries from the media and the public which emanated from a malicious misinformation campaign initiated by certain NGOs allegedly aimed at sabotaging the Sarawak government’s effort to bring development to the people. 

Based on the Resettlement Action Plan approved by the state government and announced in May, Long Wat was the first longhouse community selected to take possession of their new purpose-built accommodation. 

SEB said 89 families from Long Wat were resettled in Tegulang on Sept 9 while another 72 families would follow suit. 

It said another 172 families from Long Wat would be relocated in Metalun.

Other communities will be relocated in Long Malim, Long Tangau, Long Menapa, Long Luar and finally Long Singu in stages till the end of the year, it added. 

SEB said the resettlement sites were chosen by the affected communities with the new longhouses incorporating design, utilities and amenities requested by them. 

It said as agreed by Long Wat residents during consultations, the old longhouse would be dismantled while the materials would be used by them after their relocation. 

A suggestion that SEB staff had set fire to the materials is preposterous, it added. 

Contrary to a suggestion from a third party and NGOs, SEB said the reservoir impoundment was a slow process and would take up to 14 months based on a mapped-out timeline as safety and well-being of the affected communities was a key priority. 

The Murum Resettlement Action Plan outlines a support mechanism by SEB to raise the per capita income of the affected communities above the poverty line by enabling them to create sustainable economy through agricultural-based activities over the next five to seven years. 

- Bernama