After intervention by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), some Kelantan Orang Asli have agreed to make way for the controversial Nenggiri hydroelectric dam.
This is provided they are given compensation, agreeable resettlement and assurance that existing gravesites will not be destroyed.
More than 3,000 Orang Asli from Gua Musang - many from the Temiar tribe - previously protested the megaproject as it threatened to flood their villages, native customary lands and even archaeological sites.
In an online press conference this afternoon, Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph shared the decisions made during an April 7 discussion.
“From what we found out, the majority of the village people have agreed to move. At least in two villages, but the other villagers said there (will be) an impact to the surrounding areas.
“So in the resettlement (programme), they must learn from other resettlement programmes that have not been successful (and) not repeat the mistakes,” he said.
Elaborating, Jerald said 200 Orang Asli have agreed to move to Kampung Kuala Yai on condition their new houses will have basic facilities, their gravesites are left untouched and they each receive proportional compensation.
The quantum of the compensation was not disclosed.
It was previously reported that 1,185 people from four villages - Pos Tohoi, Pos Pulat, Kampung Wias and Kampung Bering - stand to be affected by the dam project.
Eighteen other villagers stand to be indirectly affected.
Jerald also shared that Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) had agreed to share the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), social impact assessment (SIA), heritage impact assessment (HIA) and wildlife impact assessment reports with the local communities.
“Two reports have already been sent over to the communities. The EIA and HIA reports have been submitted,” he said.
Aside from the commission, those reportedly in attendance at the meeting were six tok batin, 11 Jaringan Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK) members and officers from the Kelantan State Secretary’s Office, Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) and TNB.
The dam's benefits
The Nenggiri dam is expected to submerge an area spanning 5,384ha, equivalent to more than 43,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
For comparison, Putrajaya makes up 4,900ha in area.
The Nenggiri dam project was announced six years ago as part of the 11th Malaysia Plan during the Najib Abdul Razak administration. Preliminary groundworks are expected to begin in 2022.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Abdullah has defended the project, touting its ability to generate electricity, reduce electricity charges, prevent floods and irrigate crops.
He also dismissed the Orang Asli’s objections, saying the matter had been “resolved” since they are to be relocated.
“The proposed new settlements have been resolved. (The matters raised in the petition) should not arise. The (affected) Orang Asli communities agreed to relocate not far from their original dwellings.
“I find it strange that this matter is being raised by JKOAK. To me, they are playing politics. They are not a registered body. We’ve told them that we can’t engage with them because they are not an official group representing the Orang Asli.
“To us, the Jakoa (Orang Asli Development Department) is the official representative of the Orang Asli,” Amar said.
The hydroelectric dam is expected to add 300 megawatts to TNB’s 2,536.1-megawatt hydroelectric capacity.
The project has yet to be approved by the Energy Commission or awarded to TNB. - Mkini
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