Police report lodged against Ongkili, TNB to stop work on dams

Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK) has lodged a police report against Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili to stop all construction work for the Nenggiri and Lebir dams in Kelantan.

The police report was also lodged against UKM Pakarunding Sdn Bhd which had conducted a survey to gauge the Orang Asli’s views on the projects.

The report was lodged by JKOAK representatives at the Gua Musang district police headquarters today.

“We also want everyone to go back to the negotiation table so that the building of the dams can be discussed in a more open and transparent manner, taking into account views of NGOs like JKOAK,” said the group in the police report.

The group also wants UKM Pakarunding to be advised by the police to stop its “biased” survey work which has made it seem as though all Orang Asli have agreed with the projects and that they were only waiting to discuss the issue of compensation.

JKOAK said the survey conducted by UKM Pakarunding had only taken into account the views of the JKKKOA (Orang Asli Village Security and Development Committee) chairperson and other village leaders for the relocation action plan.

“Why wasn’t NGOs like JKOAK invited to negotiate?

“JKOAK disagrees with the survey conducted by UKM Pakarunding. The dams will only lead to problems for the Orang Asli and the environment.”

The group also cited a parliamentary reply on Nov 15 by Ongkili that his ministry was of the opinion that the Orang Asli had agreed with the dams being built due to the agreement of 1,000 Orang Asli having surpassed the ministry’s standards.

“Which standard did the ministry use? Was it the survey conducted by UKM Pakarunding?”

Ongkili in March had confirmed that a preliminary study conducted by TNB estimated that 5,804ha of land would be submerged for the Nenggiri dam.

He had said that a study on the acceptance of the local residents and the social impact of the dams found that about 1,000 Orang Asli settlers would possibly be relocated if the two projects were implemented.- Mkini