Nenggiri dam: TNB to hold discussions with stakeholders

 

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will hold discussions with interest groups on the construction of the Nenggiri hydroelectric dam in Gua Musang, Kelantan which was objected to by more than 3,000 Orang Asli in the area.

TNB chairperson Mahdzir Khalid (above) said they would provide detailed information on the project to interest groups including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

He said the project had been in the works for eight years and various aspects regarding the construction of the dam were taken into consideration before the project was approved this year, adding that construction would commence in March next year.

"So, of course, one of the components that TNB takes into account is the Orang Asli people and the community there," he said, adding that they have all the information regarding the number of affected residents as well as the affected areas.

Mahdzir said this to reporters after attending the state-level 'Ceria Ke Sekolah' back-to-school programme where he handed over a contribution worth RM380,000, in Ipoh, Perak today.

Also present was Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad.

The media reported on Monday that more than 3,000 Orang Asli from 17 districts and hundreds of villages in Kelantan objected to the construction of the dam saying that it would destroy 5,384 hectares of customary land and Orang Asli territory.

The Kelantan Network of Orang Asli Villages (JKOAK) chairperson, Mustafa Along said in a statement the dam project would affect 1,185 people from 217 families who would be relocated to Kampung Kuala Yai, adding that 18 villages or Orang Asli settlements would be submerged.

- Bernama