Blockades bring work on Baram Dam to standstill

Natives have successfully blocked works on the Baram Dam and its access road in Sarawak, says the Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fund.

In a statement, the NGO said that last Wednesday, indigenous landowners set up two blockades in the Baram district on the Malaysian part of Borneo.

This has prevented workers in the area from pursuing their work on the proposed Baram Dam.

The natives demand an immediate halt to all planning and construction works at the Baram Dam and its access road.

"Over hundred native landowners from upstream communities set up their blockade above the chosen dam site.

"They have been confronting the workers of Sarawak Energy.

"On Thursday they chased out 30 workers doing geological studies at the dam site. On Friday, they convinced another 29 workers to stop their survey work near the dam site.

"They are determined to also confront the remaining workers of Sarawak Energy in the area," said BMF in statement.

'Works completely halted'

It added that downstream, another group of around one hundred indigenous people had erected a blockade near the small rainforest town of Long Lama.

The blockade has stopped cement trucks and workers constructing the access road to the Baram Dam.

"As a result, the works on the Baram dam access road have completely been shut down. However, some survey workers are still in the area. There is also a heavy police presence.

"They have set up a blockade on Sept 17 and are willing to stay there until their demands for fair compensation are met," added the NGO. 

It also called for the government and Sarawak Energy to respect the rights of the people at Murum and Baram.

The Baram Dam, planned by the Malaysian electricity supplier Sarawak Energy, would affect up to 20,000 indigenous people and submerge over 400km2 of rainforest.

Sarawak Energy is planning the construction of the Baram Dam as part of the realisation of a series of at least 12 dams in Sarawak.

"The Murum Dam, the first dam, is almost completed and the resettlement of the 1,500 affected people has started. Some Penan communities, however, are resisting.