Shame on you Taib!

Taib oh Taib, what is the point of Sarawak having a current average per capita of RM39K but in actual fact, 80-90% of the wealth belongs to only 2-4% of the population which is your cronies and famly members? Shame on you!

Average per capita is just a another way to impress or fool people. Just take out those top 20 earners from the statistic and you will see a more realistic and actual economic condition. Shame on you!

Poor Sarawak! Despite its immense natural resources, it is going to take some time before it can join the ranks of Malaysia’s richest states. Shame on you!

You have been Chief Monster of Sarawak for the past 30 years and maybe 30 years more if you become a Zombie but 60 percent of Sarawakians still live in poverty? Shame on you!

33% of rural Sarawak has no electricity compared to 0.5% in Peninsular Malaysia and 41% has no clean water supply? Shame on you!

But yet, you shamelessly in the most arrogant manner said that Sarawak can be developed into a high-income state by 2015 and probably do not have to wait for 2020. Sarawak is already at the doorstep of (being) a developed state? Shame on you!

How is it possible that after nearly five decades of Malaysia and over four decades of the New Economic Policy (NEP), thousands of Sarawak’s poor continue to rely on rain and river water for their water supply? Shame on you!

How come significant groups of marginalised communities remain mired in crushing poverty, lacking access to the most basic of amenities even as your talks of fabulous incomes far beyond the wildest dreams of poor Sarawakians? Shame on you!

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang was quoted during DUN sitting in 2011 saying that there were 55,975 poor households in Sarawak.

Their incomes, he said, were less than RM830 per month per household. He said 27, 902 (49%) households were considered to be hardcore poor, earning less than RM520 per month.

The Ibans comprised 13, 349 (47.8%), Malays 5,601 (20%), Orang Ulu 2,925 (10.5%), Bidayuh 2,757 (9.8%), Melanau 1,974 (7%) and Chinese 674 (2.4%).

We should view these figures with grave concern. The majority of the hardcore poor are the natives of Sarawak. Have a heart for these people. Shame on you!

What you had done to eradicate poverty in Sarawak? Shame on you!

After 49 years of BN rule, and 31 years under your rule Sarawak is the 4th poorest state in Malaysia? Shame on you Taib!

How long more will Sarawak’s poor have to wait before receiving clean and secure water supply? 2015? 2020? 2030? 2050? Shame on you!

How difficult is it to solve Sarawak’s water supply woes given the state’s huge annual budget? Why are communities not given secure access to clean piped water when there is no shortage of funds to build hugely expensive mega-dams like Bakun, Murum and Baram along with 50 more planned for the near-future? Shame on you!

What benefit is the poverty-eradicating NEP to the poor if the Sarawak BN cannot even get its act together to supply clean piped water to all poor communities in the state? What benefit is the poverty-eradicating NEP to the poor if both the federal and state governments cannot overcome poverty in Sarawak? Shame on you!

Overall economic growth and standards of living may have risen in Sarawak since the NEP was launched in 1970. Poverty rates, including hardcore poverty levels, reportedly have fallen. But the curse of poverty remains since Sarawak’s development has benefited its population very unequally. Shame on you!

Yet, despite progress, Economic Planning Unit (EPU) figures in 2011 put Sarawak among the bottom five states with the highest poverty and hardcore poverty rates in the country, along with Sabah, Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan. Shame on you!

EPU figures for 2011 note that in 2009, the poverty rates of the other four states were as follows:

Sabah (19.2 per cent)

Perlis (6.0 per cent)

Kedah (5.3 per cent)

Kelantan (4.8 per cent)

Hardcore poverty figures for the same states were:

Sabah (4.7 per cent)

Perlis (0.8 per cent)

Kedah (0.8 per cent)

Kelantan (1.0 per cent)

This would also explain why in 2006, resource-rich Sarawak was officially ranked a mere 11 out of 14 in the country’s overall development composite index.

In 2009, after nearly 40 years of the NEP, the EPU reported that 10.1 per cent of the total number of all households earning less RM2300/month in Malaysia (the bottom 40 per cent distribution of poor households by income class in the country) were in Sarawak! Shame on you!

From these figures, we can surmise that about 242,400 poor households in Sarawak were earning less than RM2300/month in 2009; most of whom only earned an average of RM1400/month

EPU figures for 2010 indicate that the bottom 40 per cent of all households in Malaysia had a total household income level of less than RM2300 per month.

There were a total of 2.4 million households in this category. The mean monthly income of the bottom 40 per cent households in 2009 was RM1440.

But ironically, Chief Monster Abdul Taib Mahmud and his extended family are valued in the billions (yes, billions!) of US dollars, owning real estate, properties and over 400 companies all over the world.

Deputy CM Alfred Jabu and family are millionaires a few times over.  So too former DCM George Chan. As are senior state ministers like James Masing, William Mawan, Adenan Satem, Awang Tengah, Abang Johari, Michael Manyin and Wong Soon Koh. Mind you, many of them come from very humble backgrounds before making it big in political life!

Ps : I better stop here and thats all for now

Why Sarawak government planned to build 12 Damned Dams when Sarawak don’t require so much electricity, afterall Batang Ai and Bakun Damn would be sufficient?

 

 

 

 

Why Sarawak government planned to build 12 Damned Dams when Sarawak don’t require so much electricity, afterall Batang Ai and Bakun Damn would be sufficient?
According to Sarawak State Government lead by the Great Chief Monster, Abdul Taib Mahmud, the answer is SCORE :

1. WHAT IS SCORE?

The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or simply known as SCORE, is one of the five regional development corridors being developed throughout the country. SCORE is a major initiative undertaken to develop the Central Region and transform Sarawak into a developed State by year 2020. It aims to achieve the goals of accelerating the State’s economic growth and development, as well as improving the quality of life for the people of Sarawak.

3. What is the Core of SCORE?

The core of the corridor is the energy resources, particularly hydropower (28,000 MW), coal (1.46 billion tonnes), and natural gas (40.9 trillion square cubic feet) found abundantly within the Central Region. This will allow Sarawak to price its energy competitively and encourage investments in power generation and energy-intensive industries that will act as triggers for the development of a vibrant industrial development in the corridor.

4. DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS

Private investments in priority industries and their associated downstream value-added economic activities will be the primary force behind the growth and development of the Sarawak Corridor.

Chief among the priority industries will be the energy-intensive industries to provide the trigger investments and form the early anchor for an advanced industrial base to be built in the Corridor. Many other opportunities will also exist to broaden the industrial and economic base in the Corridor and they include resource-based industries and many other modern services. Supported by investments in basic infrastructure development such as roads, airports, ports and power supply, they lay the very foundation of widespread and sustainable development in the Corridor and beyond.

5. PLANS & STRATEGIES

Five-Prong Development Strategy for the Corridor

The Sarawak Corridor will adopt a 5-prong development strategy:

Drive priority industries investments towards 3 major growth nodes along the Corridor – Tanjung Manis (south), Mukah (centre) and Similajau (north).

Build a well-designed network of industrial class transport and communication infrastructure within the Corridor, extended outwards to systematically open up the hinterland.

Fast-forward the development of energy supply centering around currently known feasible hydro power (Murum, Limbang, Baram and Baleh) and coal deposit sites.

Accelerate human capital development within the Corridor with new learning centres and controlled immigration of skilled foreign workers.

Develop the tourism industry, focusing on the natural attractions of the Central Region, particularly the lakes upstream of the hydro power stations and the beaches along the northern part of the Corridor.

6. Ten Priority Industries

Priority industries are industries that will have the highest economic impact on Sarawak and should be given priority focus in marketing planning, investment promotion and physical development planning. These 10 priority industries are:

Aluminum Industry

Glass Industries

Steel Industries

Oil-based Industry

Palm Oil Industry

Fishing & Aquaculture Industry

Livestock Industry

Timber-based Industry

Marine Engineering

Tourism Industry

7. TIMELINE OF SCORE DEVELOPMENT

2008-2015 Laying the Corridor foundation

Build critical mass and momentum to trigger development
Implement high priority infrastructure projects
Grab high priority trigger projects

2016-2020 Towards Vision 2020

Aim development efforts to align with Vision 2020
Ensure growth and development of Corridor by
building industrial value chains
Develop R&D capabilities

2021-2030 Corridor Fruition

The eventual period required to bring the Corridor to full fruition
R&D to sustain the economy
More internally generated investments

8. BENEFITS

The impact of initiatives carried out within the corridor will include achieving the goal of balanced development, and a general improvement in income levels and quality of life in the State.

The development within the corridor will generate vast economic, business and employment opportunities and will also lead to the development of infrastructure, utilities, infrastructure, and social amenities.

Sarawak Makes A Date On Australian TV

Taken from Sarawak Report

Australia’s longest-running and highly prestigious TV current affairs programme, Dateline, has just devoted a full half hour show to the problems of logging in Sarawak and to Taib Mahmud’s crazy plan to build 12 more dams in the state

Their veteran reporter, David O’Shea, spent days filming in Sarawak and interviewing people who had been flooded from their homes by Bakun,

He also visited some of the villages which have been suffering from gangster attacks on behalf of logging companies.

These are, of course, daily issues for the poor people of Sarawak and they are heard about daily on the show Radio Free Sarawak.  However, for many Australians what is happening to the people of Sarawak and to their beautiful forest will come as a shock and surprise.

David O’Shea – the Dateline journalist who toured Sarawak last month

O’Shea features the Ukit people of Bakun, who have been reduced to living in their old homes, which are now floating on the waters of the gigantic lake which has flooded their lands.

He also interviews many villagers, whose timber is being ripped out by Ta Ann, the company owned and run by Taib’s cousin, Hamed Sepawi.

Later on the programme he challenges Sepawi and a Sarawak Electricity Board spokesmen about why they are driving through 12 more unnecessary dams without even conducting the proper consultation and impact assessments first?

Sarawak Report also took part in an interview about the corruption that is the real reason behind the building of these dams and the destruction of Sarawak’s great forests.  However, Taib Mahmud himself refused several requests to be interviewed.  Does he not dare to face tough questions from journalists whom he cannot control?

Australian connection

Eco-wood? Tasmania’s old growth forests are being destroyed to supply Ta Ann’s sawmills

Australia has become increasingly embroiled in the controversial activities in the State of Sarawak in recent years through a series of ties that have been developed between Hamed Sepawi and theState of Tasmania.  These matters have been frequently highlighted on Sarawak Report.

To begin with, in 2008, Sepawi’s company Ta Ann signed a deal with Tasmania to log out large areas of its native forests, many of which had been earmarked for protection.  Outraged environmentalists then discovered that Sepawi was marketing this wood as environmentally friendly “eco-wood”.

Much of this wood was marketed in Japan, but the scandal also hit London during the recent Olympic Games, when it was discovered that Ta Ann had also falsely sold the flooring for the construction of the London Sports Dock, where basketball was to be played.  That contract was cancelled as were key contracts in Japan.

Dams – Hydro-Tasmania has now picked up a huge contract to consult on Sarawak’s dam projects. But, the risk of involvement in such controversial developments are raising questions in the state.

Meanwhile, in one of his many other roles as Chairman of SEB Hamed Sepawi has simultaneously engaged Hydro-Tasmania to help lead the construction of Taib’s planned wave of destructive dams, which will displace tens of thousands of people and destroy Sarawak’s remaining great rivers and jungles.

David O’Shea explores these tangled relationships between the state industries of Tasmania and the state industries of Sarawak, which of course are mired in the corruption and graft of Taib Mahmud.

Bleak future for Baram if dam plans goes ahead

 

 

 

Bleak future for Baram if dam plans goes ahead

For Immediate Release

21 August 2012

MIRI: Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) together with Baram Protection Committee (BPAC) totally disagree with the statement made by Sarawak’s Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud which was published in the Borneo Post today (21 August) saying that the “Dam is vital for Baram’s future”. 

“The Chief Minister is right in saying that the Baram Dam is vital for the future of Baram, but the future he is painting looks very bleak as far as the people of Baram is concerned”, said Philip Jau, Chairman of BPAC.

“I can safely say that the reality on the ground is most of the people in Baram do not want the dam as they have seen and heard about the hardships and the unresolved problems that the people of Batang Ai and Bakun faced”, added Philip.

“Even in Murum, the Penans affected by the Murum Dam are not happy with the way the government is treating them. How can Taib say that the people of Murum are okay?” questions Philip.

Chairman of SAVE Rivers, Peter Kallang refutes the statement in which Taib says that Baram is half empty and Baram needs the dam in order to attract people who had migrated to towns to come back.

“Taib should ask himself why Baram is empty”, said Peter.

“Since the 1970s, the timber in Baram has been exploited and many of the timber companies and those connected to the timber industry made money. However, not much of the revenue from the timber industry went back to develop the Baram District.

“Baram still lacks the basic infrastructures for it to progress and most of its natural resources such as timber and land have been exploited without much had been given back to the locals and that is why people in Baram migrated elsewhere to look for a better living”, explained Peter.

Peter went on to explain that in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, the unemployment rate is quite high.

“Half of the people resettled in Sungai Asap have left to look for better jobs elsewhere.

“For the other half that stayed, half of that have gone back to their original lands or living on jelatongs (floating houses).

“Most of the lands surrounding Sungai Asap are leased out to timber and plantation companies, making it more difficult for the people there to farm and earn a decent living”, said Peter.

SAVE Rivers and BPAC concurred that Taib seems to be out of touch with the feelings and sentiments of the people on the ground, as some community leaders and elected representatives are giving false information that the all the people in Baram agrees to the Baram Dam project.

SAVE Rivers and BPAC suggest that Taib to go and make a surprise visit to Sungai Asap as well as the Penans living in Murum and the communities that are going to be affected by Baram Dam in order to get a first hand feel of the real situation on the ground instead of making statements saying that everything is alright and people are happy with the dam projects.

– END –
Press Statement issued by:
Mark Bujang
Secretary, SAVE Rivers

For more information, please contact Peter Kallang at +60138331104, Philip Jau +608597738 and Mark Bujang +60148776685.

Via SAVE Rivers

Gangster State!

Latest exposure by Sarawak Report

Yesterday we featured Sarawak’s Action Heroes, who have been standing up for their land rights against ruthless plantation companies.

The five campaigners from Melikin in Balai Ringen were arrested last week after false accusations were made against them relating to arson and assault. They were later released without charge.

The reason behind this harassment was that they have been protesting against the plantation company that has been snatching and bulldozing their ancestral Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands.

We can now bring more details of the gangster-style harassment that these folk have endured over the past year and we can also reveal that the owners of the companies that are grabbing their land are two of Taib Mahmud’s top Ministers!

What more do we need to know to understand how the Chief Minister has robbed his people and pillaged the State of Sarawak?

Grabbed and then bulldozed – what Awang Tengah and Naroden Majais’s company United Teamtrade Sdn Bhd is doing to NCR land in Melikin!

Gangster tactics – “Either you take our money or we take your land for free”!

Reporters for Sarawak Report have been interviewing the inhabitants of Melikin over the past days to learn of their problems with one of the major companies that has been operating in their area, United Teamtrade.  United Teamtrade has been granted a provisional licence for 7,300 hectares.

However, as so often is the case, it has treated this provisional licence from the Land & Survey Department as a right to take Native Customary Rights Land, instead of a right to negotiate with the real landowners.

Land right? United Teamtrade’s juicy provisional permit on NCR land in Melikin, Balai Ringen

According to the villagers, who live about 60 miles from Kuching and not far from the Indonesian border, the company has been attempting to bully them into selling the land for a laughable RM300 (£60) a hectare!

When the locals refused to give up their ancestral lands and their livelihoods and timber for less than a month’s wages they say the Company Manager bullied them with the threat:

 “Either you take the money or we’ll take it (your land) for free”

He then produced the provisional lease from the Land & Survey Department, claiming this over-ruled their ancestral rights to the land, which includes their graveyards, fruit trees and Tembawai (the former longhouse).

Up-front profit – the companies have been grabbing the valuable timber as a prelude to turning the land to profitable oil palm, destroying the jungle in the process

However, the people of Melikin have refused to be bowed and they turned to PKR’s native land rights lawyers instead.  With the help of YB See Chee How (now a member of the State Assembly) they have taken the company to court.

Forum pasal Tanah Pesaka (NCR) di Sibu kena 18/8/2012

Forum pasal Tanah Pesaka (NCR) di Sibu kena 18/8/2012                                                                             

Compiled by Katut Achong

Haribulan  :  18/8/2012

Endur     :   Kawan Hotel, Sibu.

Jam             :   0800 – 1800 hrs.

Simpul batang penemu ke dikerandauka lebuh forum pasal Tanah NCR Sarawak.

1. Adat asal bansa Dayak endang udah bisi dititih serta dikena sebedau James Brooke merintah Sarawak tahun 1841.                                                                                                                                   Nitihka Adat asal bansa Dayak : –

(a)    sapa berimba, berumpang menua,  urang nya meh empu tanah;  serta

(b)   sapa menang bekayau, bebunuh, urang nya mega empu tanah.

1. Tanah pesaka  (NCR) asal bansa Dayak dikelala serta dititihka lebuh James Brooke diberi kuasa merintah menua Sarawak (area Kuching & coastal areas of Sadong) tahun 1841.

Maia Sarawak diserah nyadi British Colony tahun 1946, Adat asal bansa Dayak pasal tanah pesaka (NCR)  mega mengkang dikelala serta dititihka.

Lalu maia beserakup ( Malaya, Singapore, Sabah & Sarawak)  numbuhka Malaysia tahun 1963, Adat asal bansa Dayak pasal tanah pesaka (NCR) mega terus dikelala, dititih, enda kala dipadamka. Nya alai, Adat asal bansa Dayak tentang hak kuasa ba tanah pesaka (NCR) mengkang dikena sampaika diatu.  Adat asal tu mega dibasa serta dijamin dalam Federal Constitution  of Malaysia (baka  Article 153 &  161A.)

1. Semua ubah undang-undang  (amendments) dalam Sarawak Land Code 1957 (Cap. 81) ke enda nitihka lalau, tuju, semengat dalam Federal Constitution enda ulih dikena serta nadai kuasa madam tauka munaska hak kuasa  bansa asal Dayak Sarawak.

Tu mega terang bendar ditulis dalam Federal Constitution Article 4(1) ti nyebut  “This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency be void”.

Tambah mega Article 5(1) nyebut  “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law”.

Lalu Article 13(1) madah  “No person shall be deprived of his property save in accordance with law”

Serta enggau Article 13(2) nyebut  “No law shall provide for the compulsory acquisition  or use of property without adequate compensation”

 

1. Adat asal bansa Dayak  pasal tanah NCR ke dikelala serta dititihka, nadai kala dipadam.

Undang-Undang Tanah Sarawak 1957 (Sarawak Land Code 1957) mega ngelala semua kuasa, hak bansa asal Dayak ke berimba, berumpang menua sebedau tahun 1958 .

1. Nitih ke adat asal bansa Dayak, penemu tauka “concept” pemakai menua endang nyengkaum menua tauka area alai mensia beridup (begiga jelu, begiga ikan, be-ambi rutan danan, alai beban, alai beramu, tanah pendam,  alai bekebun, alai bumai  etc.).

Pemakai menua tu bisi diempu, dikuasa  serta dijaga segenturung rumah panjai ba kandang menua siti-siti.  Tu tanah pesaka (Native Customary Rights ) asal Dayak.

Salah penemu perintah BN Sarawak ke nyebut “pemakai menua” nya ukai tanah NCR.

Penemu perintah BN Sarawak sentang tu amat nadai senutuk serta ngelaban atur, tuju dalam Federal Constitution. (inconsistent with the spirit of Federal Constitution, and therefore , void)

 

1. Penyarut pasal tanah pesaka (NCR) Dayak be-pun ari perintah BN Sarawak ti enda nerima,  enda bebasa ke pemutus diberi High Court .

Federal Court  nyukung penemu ari High Court  serta ngelala lalu netapka pemakai menua, pulau galau nya endang tanah pesaka (NCR) bansa Dayak.

1. Perintah BN Sarawak  sengaja ngerampas tanah pesaka (NCR) bansa Dayak ngena jalai tauka chara

(a)    Nyual Provisional Lease (PL) ngagai kompeni dagang awakka beribu-ribu ekar tanah NCR kena rengkap ladang kelapa sawit .  Kompeni  diberi tempoh 60 tahun ngena tanah nya.

(b)   Selalu ngubah Undang-Undang Tanah Sarawak dikena michit serta ngabis ke hak, kuasa bansa asal Dayak ba tanah NCR sida.

Enggau ubah undang-undang tanah nya mega, bala  Wakil Rakyat BN Sarawak senang agi be-bagi ke Provisional Lease tauka lessen kampong (balak) serta be-empu tanah di Sarawak.

(c)    Ngena jako “Development  Area” ngambi tanah pesaka NCR Dayak alai PELITA ngaga dagang  Joint Venture (JVC) enggau Companies.    Laban PELITA udah diberi kuasa lebuh ubah (amendments) undang-undang tanah Sarawak digaga perintah BN Sarawak, nya alai,  tak sepeneka tanah pesaka (NCR) Dayak diambi.

(d)   Benung ngaga serta bisi anggur deka ngaga 13 iti hydro-electric power stations  kena ngeluarka kuasa eletrik.  Siti-siti tekat ai Hydro nya ngampuhka beribu-ribu ekar tanah pesaka (NCR) asal bansa Dayak ( Kenyah, Kayan,Kelabit, Iban enggau bansa bukai) Sarawak.

(e)   Enggai nyukat, enggai meri grant pala tanah pesaka NCR Dayak nitihka Section 18 Sarawak Land Code.

(f)     Nguji nipu bansa asal Dayak ngena Perimeter Survey nitihka Section 6  Sarawak Land Code.

Ngena jako “semaia deka meri pala tanah nitihka Section 18 Land Code” selepas di sukat di baruh Section 6.      Semaia Perintah BN Sarawak nya ukai undang-undang.

Lebuh perintah BN Sarawak enda meri pala tanah munyi ke di-semaia ke, iya nadai salah laban nadai dalam undang-undang .

Section 6 dikena nyali tanah perintah (State Land) ngagai bansa asal ke nadai chukup tanah alai beridup.   Tu tanah ke dikumbai Native Communal Reserve (NCR) land.

Menteri tanah bisi kuasa penuh nyali serta ngambi pulai tanah Native Communal Reserve nya, nadai di beri pampas.

Tang  Section 18  Land Code dikena nyukat serta meri grant pala tanah ngagai bansa asal Dayak ke be-empu tanah pesaka, Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.

Dua iti sections  tu, Section 6 enggau Section 18, enda ulih di-pegulaika.  Nadai dalam bup Undang-Undang  Tanah Sarawak madahka munyi ko disebut Land & Survey. Pia mega jako “Perimeter Survey” nadai dalam bup Sarawak Land Code.

Perimeter survey nya semina policy, ukai undang-undang.

1. Ari jako peransang sida NGO, bala lawyers serta enggau urang ke bisi pemandai, kitai bansa asal Dayak endang di asuh ngetan ke hak kuasa kitai atas tanah pesaka (NCR).

Bala Dayak nadai belanja bechara ngelaban perintah BN Sarawak, taja pengawa perintah nya enda besenutuk (inconsistent) enggau Federal Constitution.

Lebuh bepilih besai (General Elections), mensia maioh diberi peluang milih wakil rakyat ke ulih di-karapka nyaga hak mensia maioh, ukai nyiping serta madamka hak  kuasa rakyat.

Ketegal wakil rakyat ari BN ke enda jurus penemu, maioh limpang kerja, nya alai kitai patut nganti sida enggau pengari wakil rakyat ari parti bukai, baka,  Pekatan Rakyat (PKR, PAS, DAP).

Selagi kitai milih parti BN, pengawa ke munaska hak kuasa bansa asal Dayak nya nadai ulih di putarka.  Tanah pesaka (NCR) asal bansa Dayak Sarawak majak lenyau, majak abis.

Noted, summarized  and understood to be the main points, reduced into writing by : –Katut Achong

Melikin Land Grab

 

The Melikin folks’ nightmare began early this year when several plantation companies encroached onto landowners’ ancestral land Provisional leases over more than 10,000 hectares of land in the area had been awarded to six private companies, believed to be linked to a few assemblymen and a former assemblyman.

Affected villagers had lodged many police reports, staged “camping” protests and held discussions with relevant authorities to seek help. However, their plight continues to fall on deaf ears.

On August 12 near midnight, five landowners from Kampung Danao Melikin were detained by the police in relation to an arson attack. The burnt logging bridge belongs to United Team Trade, one of the six private companies awarded provisional lease and caused an uproar by charging TOLL FEES to pass through their road. The company also alleged that their worker was beaten up by a group of villagers.

The five, aged from 41 to 58, including two headmen, were released three days later by the police and welcomed by some 200 villagers at the police station. None of them was charged in court.What is the purpose to put old helpless innocent villagers in jail? Are all landowners in Sarawak who defend their NCR land risk arrest and lockup?‎”The sob story of the Kampung Danau Melikin. In the past elections, they barred PKR candidates and workers from entering their longhouse during campaign period because they were very strong supporters of BN and its candidates.But when their lands were grabbed and given to a company linked to former PBB state assemblyman, they sought help from BN people who advised them to give up as the lands were not classified as NCR land. What to do – they were forced to seek help from PKR -the very party that they chased away during election time. Sarawak PKR leaders could easily say – no where we will help you.But that is not PKR’s tradition. Supporters or not, they would help. Recently PKR leaders came at the invitation of the villagers themselves. The villagers wanted YB Baru Bian and YB Chee How to take action against plantation company and other parties for grabbing their land.

Then last Sunday, close to midnight, the police team came and arrested Tuai Rumah Nyalu anak Tampa and four of his anakbiaks. The excuse was that the logging bridge, belonging to the company, was set fire by unknown people. There was no witness.The only witness (es) was or were the culprits themselves. After the police have completed their probe, the five were found to be innocent- meaning, they have nothing to do with the burning of the bridge. Now, they have instructed PKR lawyers to sue the police for wrongful arrest.”

“The sob story of the Kampung Danau Melikin. In the past elections, they barred PKR candidates and workers from entering their longhouse during campaign period because they were very strong supporters of BN and its candidates.But when their lands were grabbed and given to a company linked to former PBB state assemblyman, they sought help from BN people who advised them to give up as the lands were not classified as NCR land.What to do – they were forced to seek help from PKR -the very party that they chased away during election time. Sarawak PKR leaders could easily say – no where we will help you.But that is not PKR’s tradition. Supporters or not, they would help. Recently PKR leaders came at the invitation of the villagers themselves. The villagers wanted YB Baru Bian and YB Chee How to take action against plantation company and other parties for grabbing their land.

Then last Sunday, close to midnight, the police team came and arrested Tuai Rumah Nyalu anak Tampa and four of his anakbiaks. The excuse was that the logging bridge, belonging to the company, was set fire by unknown people. There was no witness.The only witness (es) was or were the culprits themselves. After the police have completed their probe, the five were found to be innocent- meaning, they have nothing to do with the burning of the bridge. Now, they have instructed PKR lawyers to sue the police for wrongful arrest.”

’99.7% of projects benefit Taib’s family’

’99.7% of projects benefit Taib’s family’

KUCHING: Some 99.7% of the bridges built in Sarawak were undertaken by Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd, a company owned by Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s son Mahmud Abu Bekir.

The bridges which were designed and built by Titanium were collectively worth RM1.395 billion and funded by the state government, according to Sarawak DAP. Titanium is owned by Abu Bekir who holds 51% of the shares.

The other shareholders are Chung Soon Nam (41%) and Michael Ting Kuok Ngie (8%). Pointing this out, Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen said that for the past five years from 2007 to 2011, the state government had only awarded three contracts for bridges.

The design and construction of bridges and culverts to replace temporary and semi-permanent council and PWD structures worth RM1,178,410,000.00 was awarded to Titanium with no open tender.

The other two contracts which were awarded to Woodville were the construction of Sungai Sarawak Bridge at Isthmus Kuching worth RM213 million and the construction of Sungai Miri Bridge and associated works at Piasau worth RM4.5 million.

Chong, who is the Kota Sentosa assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP, said the contract awarded to Titanium ought to have been broken down by individual bridges and shared with other contractors. “If you look at the value of the contracts given out in the five years, 99.7% goes to Titanium.

“It benefits the chief minister’s son only. The three contracts alone were worth RM1.395 billion

“The construction of Sungai Sarawak Bridge linking the Isthmus with Kuching also indirectly benefits the chief minister’s family as the whole of Isthmus of 275 acres is owned by CMS, which is owned by his family,” Chong said.

 

TITANIUM PROJECT MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD

A. Maklumat Syarikat: :
Company Name :	TITANIUM PROJECT MANAGEMENT SDN. BHD.
Address :	LEVEL 9, TITANIUM TOWER
	LOT 1, BRIGHTON SQUARE
	JALAN SONG
Postcode	93350
Town :	KUCHING
State:	SARAWAK
Telephone:	082-285 999
Fax :	082-285 888
Email :	ti@titanium.com.my

B. Maklumat Pendaftaran :
CIDB :
i) No Pendafataran :	0120090616-SR124134
ii) Bumiputra :	Tiada Maklumat
iii) Tarikh Luput Pendaftaran :	15-06-2013
iv) Gred :	G7
v) Pengkhususan :	B04 – KERJA AM BANGUNAN CE21 – KERJA-KERJA AM KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
PKK :
i) No Pendafataran :
ii) Kelas :
Nombor Pendaftaran Perniagaan/Syarikat/Lain-Lain:
ROB :
ROC :	485503
No Pendaftaran Lain:
No Lesen Berniaga Sabah:
Trading License:	431277

Status*:

Aktif

C.Rekod Log Pendaftaran :
Bil	Mula	Tamat	Catatan
1.	15-04-2010	15-06-2013	R4
2.	08-06-2009	15-06-2010	R1

D. Maklumat Ahli Lembaga Pengarah:
Bil	Nama	Warganegara	Jawatan
1.	CHUNG SOON NAM	MALAYSIA	PENGARAH URUSAN
2.	MICHAEL TING KUOK NGIE @TING KOK KGIE	MALAYSIA	PENGARAH

E.Maklumat Pemegang Saham:
Bil	Nama	Warganegara	Syer / Ekuiti

F. Taraf Bumiputera:

G.Modal Berbayar / Modal Terkumpul :

a.Modal Dibenarkan (RM):

b.Modal Berbayar / Modal Terkumpul (RM): 9,000,000.00

H.Maklumat Projek:
Bil	Tajuk	Tarikh Anugerah	Nilai (RM)	Kilen
1.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridge And Some JKR Bridges	30-05-2012	RM 3,018,659.67	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
2.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.11BKH.CB.62 (TPMSB Ref: 04B/14/PMC)	04-05-2011	RM 8,770,780.88	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
3.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.05BSM.CB61. (TPMSB Ref:01B/09/SMJDC)	23-03-2011	RM 1,843,175.33	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
4.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.04BSM. CB60. (TPMSb Ref:02B/04/ASJDC)	18-01-2011	RM 2,585,232.94	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
5.	The Design, C & C of Bridges & Culverts to replace Temp.& Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Swk. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.06SK.CB66. (TPMSB Ref: 03/03/MJDC) Sg. Sebatu 1& Sg. Sebatu 2;Sg. Lemayong, Sg. Strass in Meradong/Julau Dist., Sarikei Division	18-01-2011	RM 10,572,830.67	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
6.	The Design, C & C of Bridges and Culvets to replace Temp. and Sem-Permenant Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.04SK.CB64, (TPMSB Ref: -01/03/MJDC) Bridge over Sg. Uu Mador, Sg Mador & Sg Mador Melayu; in Meradong/Julau Dist. Sarikei Division	18-01-2011	RM 7,248,000.08	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
7.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temp. & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.13KH.CB96. (TPMSB Ref:03/04/LDC) Jambatan Belian No. 1/Kpg. Keranji, Sematan	18-01-2011	RM 1,582,103.77	JKR SARAWAK
8.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temp. & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.05BMK.CB56. (TPMSB Ref:02B/05/DLDC) Sg Pangin At Jalan Kpg. Baru Cina, Dalat	18-01-2011	RM 2,384,527.53	JKR SARAWAK
9.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.18KH.CB87	18-01-2011	RM 4,731,409.61	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
10.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges and Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.05SK.CB65	18-01-2011	RM 6,775,056.24	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
11.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.21KH.CB89	18-01-2011	RM 6,335,353.44	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
12.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.24KH.CB92	18-01-2011	RM 2,317,096.86	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
13.	Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.11SM.CB98 – (TPMSB Ref:06/10/SDC) “The Design, Construction & Completion Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak.”	18-01-2011	RM 1,843,175.33	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
14.	Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.12SM.CB74. – (TPMSB Ref: 07/10/SDC) – “The Design, Construction & Completion Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak.	18-01-2011	RM 4,419,136.11	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
15.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.05BET.CB81. a) Bridge Over Sg. Malupa Along Jln. SRK Ng. Assam/Ng. Malupa b) Bridge Over Sg. Kara Along Jln. SRK Ng. Assam/Ng. Malupa	18-01-2011	RM 7,022,487.62	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
16.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03BMK.CB55. a) Bridge Over Sg. Ud Muara Along Jalan Kpg. Hilir/Kpg. Tengah Dalat In Dalat District, Mukah Division	18-01-2011	RM 9,198,741.83	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
17.	The Design, Construction & Completion Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008. 04BET. CB80 (TPMSB Ref:03/03/BETDC) : Sg. Geraji & Sg. Bran, Jalan Berbangai In Betong District, Betong Division	18-01-2011	RM 4,400,781.00	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
18.	The Design, Construction & Completion Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.14SB.CB72 (TPMSB Ref:12/14/SRDC) : Sg. Latap, Sg. Naman 1 & Sg. Naman 2 In Sibu Division	18-01-2011	RM 5,765,997.94	JKR SARAWAK
19.	The Design, Construction & Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008. 03BET. CB79 (TPMSB Ref:02/03 BETDC) : Sg Pasa In Betong Division	18-01-2011	RM 1,843,175.33	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
20.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak.	18-01-2011	RM 4,515,137.77	JKR SARAWAK
21.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.01SA.CB99	18-01-2011	RM 23,563,600.93	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
22.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.06BET.CB.82 (TPMSB Ref: 03/03/SRTDC) Sarawak.	18-01-2011	RM 4,223,568.96	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
23.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.22KH.CB.90.(TPMSB Ref: 11/14/PMC). (TPMSB Ref: 04B/14/PMC) Sarawak	18-01-2011	RM 12,047,642.15	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
24.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.18SM.CB78 a) Bridge At Jalan Sekedu Along Jln. Sekedu b) Bridge At Kpg. Sg. Lingkau No. 1 Along Jln. Kpg. Sg. Lingkau c) Bridge At Kpg. Sg. Lingkau No. 2 Along Jln. Kpg. Sg. Lingkau	18-01-2011	RM 10,939,696.45	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
25.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.20KH.CB88 (TPMSB Ref:09/14/PMC) (a) Bridge over Sg. Tengah 1 along Jln. Taman Maliha/Kpg. Kolong 1 (b) Bridge over Sg. Tengah 2 along Jln. Taman Maliha/Kpg. Kolong 1	18-01-2011	RM 6,506,794.02	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
26.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.12BKH.CB63 (TPMSB Ref: 05B/14/PMC) (a) Bridge over Sg. Abang along Jalan Benguh/Danu (b) Jamabatan Kpg. Stabut along Jalan Kpg. Stabut	18-01-2011	RM 9,489,074.60	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
27.	The Design & Completion of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges in Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008. 16KH. CB86 (Jamb. Kpg Begu No. 1 & Kpg Begu No.2) Padawan, Kuching Division	18-01-2011	RM 4,072,848.86	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
28.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.28KH.CB94 (a) Bridge over Sg. Stenggang 2 along Jln. Kpg. Stenggang (b) Jambatan at Sibulung along Jln. Kpg. Sibulung	18-01-2011	RM 3,412,474.68	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
29.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.16SM.CB77 (a) Bridge at Kpg. Moyan Laut No. 2 along Jalan Kpg. Moyan Laut	18-01-2011	RM 2,214,204.14	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
30.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.04MR.CB67 (a) Bridge Over Sg. Tapan Kecil along Access Road to Tapan (b) Bridge Over Sg. Sebato along Access to SRK Sebato (c) Bridge Over Sg. Satap 1 along Access to Rh. Muking	18-01-2011	RM 6,748,296.26	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
31.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.23KH.CB91	18-01-2011	RM 1,506,002.58	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
32.	Contract No: PWD/HO/B039/2008 02MR.CB30 The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culvert To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridge In Sarawak – Padang Kerbau Bridge No.2 Along Jln Kampung Padang Kerbau	28-10-2010	RM 1,731,593.89	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
33.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.08SM.CB37	01-10-2009	RM 4,515,137.77	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
34.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Coucil Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.02BET.CB47	01-10-2009	RM 3,164,207.54	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
35.	The Design ,Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culvert To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges in Sarawak -Package Ref.PWD/HQ/B039/2008.05LG.CB26 (TPSMB Ref: 03/04/LGDC)	01-10-2009	RM 2,701,156.92	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
36.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.10KH.CB42	01-10-2009	RM 7,563,537.78	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
37.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.05SM.CB45 TPMSB Ref: 01/09/SMJDC	01-10-2009	RM 4,832,441.58	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
38.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008. 03BSM. CB43. (TPMSB Ref:01B/04/ASJDC)	01-10-2009	RM 1,582,103.77	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
39.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.04MK.CB27 a) Jambatan Sg. Lintang Along Jalan Kpg. Lintang, Balingan	01-10-2009	RM 2,784,097.01	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
40.	The Design, Const.& Comp. Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges in Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/039/2008.05MK.CB.28 (TPMSB Ref:02/05/DLDC) Jln.Kpg.Baru Cina, Dalat	01-10-2009	RM 10,105,240.99	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
41.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.12KH.CB53 (TPMSB Ref:05/14/PMC)	01-10-2009	RM 1,755,752.00	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
42.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.11KH.CB52	01-10-2009	RM 6,870,600.61	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
43.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.04SM.CB44	01-10-2009	RM 4,057,379.47	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
44.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.07SM.CB36 TPMSB Ref: 02/02/SMDC	01-10-2009	RM 1,843,175.33	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
45.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.02BT.CB24	01-10-2009	RM 3,646,802.02	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
46.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culvert To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak – PWD/HO/B039/2008.04LG.CB25	01-10-2009	RM 5,929,095.48	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
47.	The Design Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03MR.CB33	28-09-2009	RM 4,093,285.49	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
48.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges in Swk-PWD/HQ/B039/2008.08KH.CB40	14-05-2009	RM 1,506,002.58	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
49.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temp. & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.02SB.CB31 (TPMSB Ref:01/14/SRDC) Sg. Rongan & Sg. Naman at Sg.Assan Road, Durin	14-05-2009	RM 8,324,597.02	JKR SARAWAK
50.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.07SB.CB48	14-05-2009	RM 7,839,479.50	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
51.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.09SB.CB50	14-05-2009	RM 7,205,139.96	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
52.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.08SB.CB49	14-05-2009	RM 8,080,587.53	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
53.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.11SB.CB23	14-05-2009	RM 14,301,347.66	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
54.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.10SB.CB51	14-05-2009	RM 8,849,531.27	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
55.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.06SB.CB35	14-05-2009	RM 6,738,361.78	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
56.	The Design, Const. And Comp. Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges in Swk- PWD/HQ/B039/2008.09KH.CB41	14-05-2009	RM 1,506,002.58	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
57.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03SB.CB22	07-05-2009	RM 4,489,769.09	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
58.	Pakage Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.01LG.CB14 (TPMSB Ref: 01/04/LGDC) Comfirmation Of Pakage Contract Price The Design Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culvert To Replace Temporary and Semi-Permanent Council Bridges and Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak	23-12-2008	RM 14,208,548.28	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
59.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culvets To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.03LG.CB18 (TPMSB Ref: 02/04LGDC)	20-11-2008	RM 5,269,660.16	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
60.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-PermanentCouncil Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak (Pakage Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.01MR.CB09)	20-11-2008	RM 6,739,780.99	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
61.	The Design,Construction & Completion Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Briges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak-Package Ref. PWD/HQ/B039/2008.01 BET.CB20	20-11-2008	RM 4,045,410.80	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
62.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.01SK.CB02	20-11-2008	RM 13,755,420.00	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
63.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.01BT.CB08	20-11-2008	RM 12,852,292.98	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
64.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03MK.CB21 (TPMSB Ref: 01B/05/DLDC)	20-11-2008	RM 1,703,804.06	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
65.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.01SB.CB05	20-11-2008	RM 19,871,501.85	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
66.	The Design, Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03KH.CB07	20-11-2008	RM 6,502,583.69	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
67.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.02MK.CB16	20-11-2008	RM 14,794,718.41	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
68.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culvets To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.02KH.CB06 (TPMSB Ref: 01/04/LDC)	20-11-2008	RM 4,938,235.81	JKR SARAWAK
69.	The Design,Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak. Package Ref. PWD/HQ/B039/2008.02SM.CB19	20-11-2008	RM 5,724,367.78	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
70.	The Design,Construction And Completion Of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges In Swk. Package Ref. PWD/HQ/B039/2008.01SM.CB10	20-11-2008	RM 5,087,930.94	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK
71.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culvets To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039.2008.02SK.CBB03 & Package Sarawak. Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.03SK.CBB04, Sarawak.	20-11-2008	RM 31,454,526.19	TITANIUM MANAGEMENT SENDIRIAN BERHAD
72.	The Design, Construction And Completion of Bridges And Culverts To Replace Temporary And Semi-Permanent Council Bridges And Some JKR Bridges in Swk- Package Ref. PWD/HO/B039/2008.01KH.CB01	20-11-2008	RM 17,396,486.95	KTA (SARAWAK) SDN BHD
73.	The Design, Const. & Comp. Of Bridges & Culverts To Replace Temporary & Semi-Permanent Council Bridges & Some JKR Bridges In Sarawak Package Ref.PWD/HO/B039/2008.01MK.CB15	20-11-2008	RM 9,415,568.01	JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK

Opposition riles Taib with questions on contracts

KUCHING: Sarawak’s Chief Minister Taib Mahmud lost his cool in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday when an opposition assemblyman sought clarification over contracts awarded to his son Abu Bekir Mahmud’s company Titanium Management Project Sdn Bhd.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen hit a raw nerve in Taib when he stood up to raise a point of order, interjecting Taib’s winding-up speech during the final day sitting of the state assembly.Chong wanted to know from Taib himself the number of contracts given to Abu Bekir’s company.A visibly angry Taib challenged Chong to repeat the allegation outside the house. Chong, who has been exposing irregularities in the awarding of contracts by the state government, accepted the challenge.At a press conference later, Chong repeated what he said in the state assembly. He said Titanium Project Management had been awarded construction of a few hundred bridges worth RM1,178,410,000 without open tender.

The five-year contract for the bridges was awarded in 2008. In 2001, the government awarded the construction of 384 bridges to Titanium Management Sdn Bhd for RM500 million.

The company managed to complete 332 bridges or 80 percent of the job, but over the years the cost had spiralled. According to Chong, the government now has to pay the company RM948 million.

He reiterated that Titanium Management belonged to Abu Bekir. Chong had submitted questions on the awarding of the government contracts to Titanium Project Management, but Speaker Awang Asfia Nassar had rejected them.

Open Letter by Baram Youth to Sarawak’s Chief Minister

Open Letter by Baram Youth to Sarawak’s Chief Minister

YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud – Sarawak Chief Minister  

22nd Floor, Wisma Bapa Malaysia

Petra Jaya, 93502 Kuching

Sarawak, Malaysia

Tel: 082 440801

Fax: 082 444566

Dear Sir,

Because your roots and ancestors are not from the Baram, I know that you can identify with us and can relate to what we are about to write in this letter. Not too long ago, we were unable to stop the destruction and flooding of the people along the Balui River despite of it took every bit of our determination, stamina, and courage to topple that disastrous project. We failed..!

Now, while we are still healing from the battle scars from our encounter with Bakun and the Murum dams, we are yet again facing another enemy the Baram dam that want to wipe us out from our ancestral and relocate us to some places unknown.

Mr Chief Minister, if Baram Dam materializes, we might as well say goodbye to our peaceful, healthy existence, our clean air, our beautiful beaches, our birds and fishes, our lands, our lush greenery the quality of life that is uniquely our own. What will replace our utopia will be the pollution of our rivers, water, land, and air; dirt, oil and soot to sully our landscape; cleared groves; noise instead of birds singing; sickness and respiratory diseases; death and destruction everywhere. Then it will be too late. The die is cast, harm has been done, and there is no turning back.

Even developed countries like in Australia, USA and in almost all European countries they have never succeeded in controlling the ill effects of it hydro electric dams in regardless of the high tech state-of-the-art controlling and monitoring system that they used and despite the efficiency of the men handling them. That’s why these hydro electric dams are being condemned left and right in whichever websites you surf and in whichever research papers you browse against you. But surprisingly, you choose to remain silent.

If you say Baram dam is to bring development to the people, as Dato Jacob mentioned in Borneo Post date 3rd August, “we want – to eradicate poverty, have better facilities, new towns flourishing, new schools being built, water and electricity supplies, clinics and I think this is what the government is thinking,” stressed Jacob to reporters here yesterday after presenting government grants totaling RM251,000 for 17 projects”.

So we ask, “What Baram dam ‘jobs that will improve the economy’ or ‘giving us development’ are you and your elites talking about? How many jobs will be created and how many of the people in the affected long houses will become millionaires? Is that a justifiable exchange for the massive loss of their lives and wanton destruction of their property and environment? Are our lives, our rights to be equated with a few thousand ringgits? Where do justice, righteousness and humane come in because this is a blatant disregard for a person’s right to his life and property?”

What have you, for being the Chief Minister for thirty years learned from the thousands of people who are the victims by the previous dams, Batang Ai, Pelagus, Bakun, Murum and destruction of our NCR lands?

After 30 years of waiting for your proclamation to develop the people of rural areas you have finally granted to destroy us with developments that guaranteed to destroy our cultures, tradition and heritages forever.

Look at what you’ve done to our rights in electing our leaders. You set up law to regulate the appointment and duties of Community Chiefs and Headman and matters incidental thereto” in 2004, which you called “Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance, 2004”. This law you and legislative assembly has passed, vested the power to appoint the headman of a longhouse unto an “Appointing Authority” whom “the Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall, by notification in the Gazette, designate to be the appointing authority for a chief or headman in respect of the whole State or any administrative area or for any particular community in Sarawak” [Section 3], is a law designed to manipulate our rights, for you to choose the leaders not of our choice. The leaders, headmen who you think easily can be used as your toilet papers. What are you doing Mr Chief Minister?

We’ve been putting so much trust in you, but yet you are the one who is the founder in destroying the core structures of our tradition, our cultures and now you are slowly creeping in to destroy our heritages (Adat Isti Adat), our history and our existence.

It is not what Chief Minister’s duties are supposedly ensured the protection of our country and its people, should be like a wick lamp which draws oil from beneath but gives light to everyone in the form of material well being at the first tier and ultimately spiritual enlightenment as the final goal. But you are not.

As you can see along the years, our Orang Ulu’s prides has been provoked by you and your government and we will only be appeased if and when Baram dam gives up the idea of its construction in our domain. We are saying “NO” to Baram dam and this not negotiable. Although there are few of our Community Chiefs and Headman (Ketua Mesyarakat) and YBs who are in favor of the dam are the misguided souls who get blinded by false gold and your empty promises. Bu their day of reckoning will come, by that time will be too late.

As our chief minister, please ask SCORE to take its electricity sources elsewhere. We don’t want it in Baram, neither do we want it to be built at anywhere in Sarawak. If we fought hard to the Bakun dam, we will fight harder yet to stop anther dam from building in the Baram area because our very own lives and precious land are at great risk.

Mr Chief Minister, we have gathered sufficient research to convince us of the devastating effects of a dam to the environment. We also have statistics to prove that countless people have paid a heavy price with their rights over their NCR lands and their lives.

“Justice is to give to every man his own due.” (Aristotle). This is all we ask, and this is all we want. This is not too much to ask because we do not have much. But for what we are and for the little that we own, it’s our gifts inherited to us by our ancestors, even before Sir James Brooke became Rajah of Sarawak, before you claiming our NCR lands as state lands. It has always been ours anyway, so how can we be wrong to stop you? How can it not be fair and just? Please let us keep our own. Of cause we want development, but not this development that is going to permanently destroying and flooding our Homelands.

Today, we’ve made our own judgments; there’s no other choice, as long as we stay in supporting Barisan National while you are in power, we’ll not see justice. That’s why we are quickly to restore our rights through Pakatan Rakyat government who we believes is capable of putting the state’s interest as priority because the integral part of our struggle to keep democracy and freedom alive.

Let justice and righteousness prevail.

Very truly yours,

The Baram Youth

Cc:

Y.A.B Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak

Y.A.B. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Sato Haji Muhyddin Mohamad Yassin

His Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon

BREAKING NEWS! Taib under investigation in the UK! – British government to monitor MACC

 

“We will monitor the MACC investigation”: British Minister of State, Jeremy Browne

(LONDON, UK). The British government will be monitoring the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud (“Taib”) and will use its findings “to support a UK investigation”. This has been confirmed in a letter to the Bruno Manser Fund from British Minister of State, Jeremy Browne, the Minister who holds responsibility for Britain’s relations with Malaysia.

Browne confirms that the UK government has started looking into alleged Taib family money-laundering in the UK and British offshore financial centres. According to the Minister, a complaint by the Bruno Manser Fund has been “forwarded to the relevant UK authorities”. “We are also aware, as your letter states, that the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has announced the opening of its own investigation into Taib earlier this year.”

“The UK attaches considerable importance to the integrity and supervision of its financial services industry and property sector, so concrete allegations of money laundering are taken very seriously.” The Minister also stated that the British and Malaysian Governments had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Transnational Crime, “which foresees close cooperation on money laundering and other illegal activities.”

The Bruno Manser Fund had alerted British Prime Minister David Cameron about suspected money-laundering by the Taib family and called on the British government to freeze illicit Taib assets in the UK. The Taibs’ business flagship in the UK is Ridgeford Properties, a property company controlled by Taib’s daughter Jamilah Taib Murray and his Canadian son-in-law, Sean Murray. Ridgeford Properties holds luxury properties in Central London estimated to be worth several hundred million pounds.

Prior to the British government, the Swiss and German bank regulators had announced that they would look into potential Taib-related dealings in their countries. Australia’s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Canada’s Finance Minister James Flaherty had also assured the Bruno Manser Fund that their governments were taking money-laundering allegations against the Taib family very seriously and would look into the matter. http://www.stop-timber-corruption.org/campaign_update?show=34

New dam, same old story

Taken from The Star by Stephen Then

 

With folk uprooted for the Bakun and Batang Ai dams yet to benefit from the electricity produced by the projects, one wonders how long the 20,000 people now sacrificing their ancestral land for the Baram dam will get theirs.

I DON’T really relish the thought of seeing another gigantic dam being built after spending the past 15 years watching the Bakun dam develop from start to finish.

It was exactly 15 years ago in August 1996 that the first dynamite hole was drilled into a mountain slope along a bank of Balui River to blast off the construction of three river diversion tunnels through the mountains — the first phase of the Bakun dam project.

I remember the day well. I was in the first batch of media personnel invited by Ekran Bhd (the developer) to visit the site.

Some 30 reporters, photographers and television crew members endured an arduous journey up the Rajang River and through the Balui River to the site earmarked for the 210m main dam wall.

It was a 12-hour boat ride from Sibu via Belaga, Song and Kapit, and we had to shoot up the Pelagus rapids, which at that time was a raging one. In 1996, there was no road from Bintulu to Bakun. The road was completed much later.

I still remember seeing the then Ekran Bhd chairman Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing smashing a bottle of champagne onto the hillslope after the blasting ceremony, an event witnessed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was then the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

During the ceremony, the VVIPs told the press that the project would deliver electricity to the rakyat and solve all their power woes.

They said the project would light up homes in urban and rural Sarawak and channel electricity via submarine cables across the South China Sea to the peninsula.

That was August 1996.

Since then, I have visited the dam eight times, the last in October last year when the flooding of the reservoir started with the damming of the diversion tunnels.

Today, Bakun has been completed, but sadly, the promise that rural folks would benefit from the electricity has not materialised.

The electricity is only for industries in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). The project to cable electricity to the peninsula states was shelved due to high costs.

Power transmission lines from the dam run high over dozens of settlements along a 150km route from Bakun to Bintulu.

These settlements will not benefit from the electricity because they are not connected to the state grid. The dam is connected directly to the main grid and there is no power line connecting Bakun to the settlements.

I saw the same situation at the Batang Ai dam in Sri Aman Division in southern Sarawak where the settlements closest to the site were also without electricity supply.

As in Bakun, the transmission lines bypass them.

The electricity is only for the benefit of industrial users, residential estates, commercial centres and offices located hundreds or thousands of km away from the dams.

Those who were uprooted from their ancestral homes to make way for the dams do not benefit from the electricity.

Unfair, isn’t it?

Senior Iban leader Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing agrees that this should not be the case.

In interviews with The Star and a local newspaper, Masing admitted that locals in Bakun, the Sungai Asap resettlement scheme and Belaga district should also enjoy the 24-hour electricity from Bakun.

“These folk still use generator sets to produce a limited amount of electricity,” he said.

As a matter of social justice, Sarawak Energy Bhd and Sarawak Hidro (the Bakun dam manager) should supply electricity from the dam to these local folk whose lives had been affected by its construction.

Masing said he would try to ensure that the electricity be connected to Sungai Asap, where 15,000 relocated from the Bakun area now live.

He said he would also try to ensure that the rest of the 40,000 population now located in the surrounding settlements and Belaga town were also connected to Bakun to enjoy 24-hour power supply at cheaper rates.

This sounds nice, but in reality, it is easier said than done.

The Star has learnt that to draw electricity from the dam and the Sarawak main grid to the settlements from Bakun to Bintulu would cost more than RM60mil.

A lot of infrastructure work has to be put in place before this can happen. So far, no “volunteers” have come forward to offer the money.

When asked on this, Dr Masing admitted that Sarawak Energy and Sarawak Hidro had said that the move would be extremely costly.

“So far, no decision has been made as to whether the electricity from the Bakun dam will be connected to the settlements near Bakun or Belaga town.

“I hope it will be done for the sake of social justice for the Bakun folk,” he stressed.

I sincerely hope that Dr Masing’s wish will become a reality soon.

As it is, the harsh reality is that the Bakun dam, just like the Batang Ai dam, has not benefited the very people whose lives had been uprooted and ancestral land sacrificed for the dams.

The promise of jobs for locals also did not materialise. Even after 15 years, there is still a lot of unemployment in Sungai Asap and the number of jobs at the Bakun dam is limited.

The latest additions of hydro dams in Sarawak will be in Baram district in the interior of Miri division in northern Sarawak.

Three days ago, Baram MP Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan announced the setting up of a government-appointed committee to handle resettlement and compensation issues of more than 20,000 folks from 25 longhouses who will be uprooted for the 1,000MW Baram dam in Long Kesseh, some 200km inland from Miri city.

It looks like there is no turning back — the Baram dam project is on.

Already, an access road to the dam site is being opened up.

The Baram dam will be half the size of the Bakun dam and cost RM7.3bil — about half the cost of the Bakun dam. But in terms of population of natives affected, it will eclipse the mighty Bakun dam.

In Bakun, an original population of about 10,000 were uprooted. In Baram, however, this will happen to at least 20,000 from 25 settlements.

Sagan, also the committee’s chairman, said that efforts would be made to ensure the local Baram folk benefit from the electricity from the dam.

The mistakes made at the Bakun and Batang Ai dams would not be repeated in Baram, he said.

I hope he is right.

No Dam For Baram!!

 

Peter Kallang

Representatives of communities from Baram

 

Peter pointing out the proposed location of the Baram Dam

PRESS STATEMENT

 29 August 2011 

Besides the colossal environmental devastation and severe consequence on the ecosystem that the dreadful Baram Dam will bring, it will also rage a permanent degeneration of the ethnic identity and heritage of the populaces who live in the region. Based on the number of villagers, the most affected are the Kenyah followed by the Kayan and Penan population. These are also the same majority groups of people who are most affected by the Bakun Dam which was just commissioned. The same like it was done in Bakun, the decision in building the Baram Dam seems to be in total disregard for all those who area affected. It is built for the benefit of others rather than those who live in Baram and for the long term good of the Baram.

As one of those affected I just can’t understand this injustice and this outrageous and abusive exploit. This seems to be a senseless exploitation which is primarily driven by avarice coupled with immorality. For us who are directly and adversely affected parties, no one can blame us in thinking that this is a calculated, intentional and purposeful manoeuvre to wipe out our races. Why it could be seen as an act in complete disregard for our wellbeing and opinion could be proven by the priority given to the preparatory construction activities done even before the proper Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are completed or perhaps not even started and made accessible to affected and interested parties. In doing this, it seems the construction of the dam is to be implemented whatever the findings or recommendation would eventually be available if and when the EIA or SIA is done.

The Baram is the least developed part of Sarawak and arguably the least developed area in the whole of Malaysia. So far, the only so called “development” which are seen in Baram are the colossal and exhaustive exploitation or extraction of the Baram natural resources; these are like reckless harvestings of the timber, extraction of lime stone, sand dredging, vast oil palm plantations and now the dam for hydropower electrical generation. So far, practically all the beneficiaries of these so called developments are big companies owned by big tycoons from outside the Baram. Most of the workers employed at these facilities are also from outside Baram and a lot of them are foreigners. So to say that these “development” bring employment is a fantasy. Like all the past exploitation of the Baram resources there is little doubt that employment spin-off from the proposed dam is “just a pie in the sky” for the Baramites. As seen at the construction stage of the Bakun and Murum dams, the locals are not employed in significant numbers during the construction or their involvement in the operations after completion of the construction. We do not see how the dam can bring significant economic opportunities for the locals.

Recently, I had a conversation with the headman from one of the village which is within the proposed reservoir area of the Baram Dam. He criticised those who do not plant rubber or not building new longhouse for fear that these would be flooded when the dam is completed; he said that he did not believe that the government would build such a dam. He said that if such a dam was to be built, the government would have already been busy consulting the affected people and getting their consent. The reaction by this particular headman reflects the effectiveness of the discreet process practiced in building the dam. The dam construction although it will affect a lot of people, at the moment is one dark secret kept away from those living in Baram. If it is occasionally mentioned by the proponents, the subject would be down-played, watered-down with downright euphemism. However, the reality as we learnt from newspaper reports and information dripping from the project supporters speaks of an affected area covering 38,900 hectares (389 sq km) or ½ the size of Singapore Island. It will be constructed of around 180 metres above seal level and will generate 1,200 MW of electrical power. So, with these realities no one can blame the fear which was noted by the headman. This fear is shared by many in the whole of Baram whether they are living above or below the proposed dam site.

At least 90% of the land mass which will be flooded by the dam’s reservoir will be the Native Customary Rights land (NCR). The foreseeable fiasco resulting from this will no doubt be contributed by the now famous government’s interpretation of NCR which differ from that of the native’s custom (Adat). The native’s interpretation is recognised by the judiciary as proven by the various court cases where the native claimants have won. This will again result in more cases of dissatisfaction among the people affected. With the single mindedness of the government in constructing the dam, the people, for whom they are supposed to bring development, will unavoidably be marginalised. For the Orang Ulu their very survival from generation to generation has been based on the land. They are basically farmers and gatherers. To disregard this fact would be to purposefully disorientated and thus destroy the harmonious way of life. Flood from the dam and the infrastructure associated with the construction will definitely bring irreparable damage to the whole environment. It will destroy a heritage for which all Malaysian or human race should respect and harness.

Relocation of the people to make way for the Baram Dam will definitely result in a permanent social damage. The Kenyah and Kayan people traditionally live in longhouses. Even the very structures of the longhouses are traditional in nature, reflecting the social structure of the communities and thus keeping the Kenyah and Kayan together from time immemorial, enabling them to face famine, wars, epidemics and natural tragedies. These structures are delicate and are now facing a lot of challenges from modern lifestyles and globalisation. Mass relocation of the people will no doubt spell the end of the traditional social structure.

In the traditional Kenyah and Kayan community, each longhouse normally comprise a group of people who are of the same dialect. For the Kenyah they could be Lepo Tau, Badeng, Lepo Aga, Jamuk, Long Sebatu etc. For the Kayan they could be Uma Baluvah, Uma Kelep, Uma Pu etc. The people of each dialect have from generation to generation, their bonds to each other make it possible for them to live in a family like attitude towards one another. Even in the face of large rural-urban migration, the Kenyah and Kayan consider their ancestral villages as their real home. They maintain their houses in the Baram and they normally go back on festive occasions like Pusau Anak, Christmas or Suen. Relocation of the people for the dam would also pose a direct challenge to this bond that is part of the social structure.

The social structure of the dam will not bring development but severe and permanent damage to the whole environment and the people. Development must be for the immediate and long term good of all the people with minimal, repairable or no damage to the environment. The decision for major project like the construction of massive dams should be made by the people. It must be a collective decision, which is made based on well informed decision. The people must know the pros and cons of the dam. Information must be made available freely to them and only after that can they decide. So looking at the proposed Baram Dam, none of these are met. Baram Dam is not required to bring development to Baram.

 

Press Statement release by:

Peter N. J. Kallang

Chairman Orang Ulu National Association Miri (OUNA)

Chairman Persatuan Kenyah Association Miri

 

For more information, please contact Peter Kallang 013-8331104, Philip Jau 016-8597738