TNB: Nenggiri dam meets sustainable goals, facilities for Orang Asli

 

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) stressed that its Nenggiri hydroelectric dam in Gua Musang, Kelantan, is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) amid criticism from the Orang Asli community that will be displaced by the project.

TNB, in a statement issued after the breaking of the ground for the project yesterday, stressed that the displaced Orang Asli would be relocated to an area with all the necessary facilities.

"The project meets the SDG 2030 of the United Nations, which was agreed upon by 193 countries, including Malaysia, in 2015.

"It aims for the people to enjoy peace and prosperity by protecting the earth and eradicating poverty, as well as to balance the economy, social needs and the environment.

"This is related to the relocation of all Orang Asli communities in the project area with quality facilities, such as clean water, electricity, sewage system, roads, a clinic, public hall, school, shops as well as sports and recreational facilities," TNB said.

It added that the project would also provide jobs and business opportunities to the local communities, such as in construction, food, groceries and in new industries such as eco-tourism and aquaculture, as well as upgrade the socio-economic status of the local communities.

Intervene, federal govt urged

The Orang Asli communities who do not need to be relocated but live near the project have also expressed concern that the flooding of large swathes of land from the project would impact their way of life.

The Orang Asli communities rely on hunting and foraging in the nearby forests and have complained that their roaming lands would be affected.

Unconvinced by the assurances from TNB, the Orang Asli community travelled to Putrajaya last week to protest against the project.

Members of the community said they were seeking the intervention of the federal government as their plight had fallen on the deaf ears of the Kelantan government.

Clean water supply

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob, who was present at the ground-breaking function for the project, stressed that the interest of the state government and its people have been considered in the project and that it would also help the state to cope with its flooding problems.

Ahmad added that the Nenggiri hydroelectric dam would also provide a clean water supply and improve irrigation for agricultural activities.

Also present was Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan.

TNB said the dam is expected to generate 600 gigawatts of energy per hour in a year, offsetting the production of 355,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be produced through a fossil fuel power plant.

It added that the RM5 billion dam would help the government to meet its target of 31 percent renewable energy source by 2025 and 40 percent by 2035. - Mkini