The Malaysian Insight

THE proposed final site for the Papar dam in Kg Mondoringin, Sabah, is the same spot that Barisan Nasional picked previously, said anti-dam activists.

Kaiduan dam task force leader Diana Sipail told The Malaysian Insight that during the BN administration, the dam was to be known as Kaiduan Dam.

“The government is only trying to confuse the people. It is still the same place, the original site proposed for the Kaiduan dam,” she said, adding that the present Warisan-led government has only changed the name.

“This means there have been no changes to the original plan at all, although the government previously said they will relocate the dam.”

Sipail, who is from Ulu Papar, said she recognised the site in Kg Mondoringin as she had visited the place several times during her rallies against the Kaiduan dam.

She also noted the oil palm trees grown by private owners and the small rubber plantations run by the Sabah Rubber Industries Board nearby the so-called new dam site.

Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Peter Anthony on Tuesday announced the final site for the dam – a secluded hilly area next to Kg Mondoringin in Papar.  

The project is slated to cost RM3 billion and will now be a hydroelectric dam, he said.  

Previously, the minister also proposed Kg Bisuang and Kg Mandalipau before reverting to the original site.

“It appears even the memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal on April 15 to find an alternative site was not considered at all.

“So all this talk of relocating and downsizing projects is just empty talk.

“Anthony should not make such decisions as the environment impact assessment report has not been released.

“As a minister, he should not take action into his own hands, he needs to listen to the people, stakeholders, academics and the views of his cabinet colleagues,” she said.

Under the task force study, 13 villages with a population of 3,292 people will be affected by the dam.

In Penampang, the affected villages are Kg Longkogunan, Kg Kalanggaan, Kg Pongobonon, Kg Kionop, Kg Buayan, Kg Tiku, Kg Timpayasa, Kg Babagon Laut and Kg Terian.

In Papar, they are Kg Bisuang, Kg Kaiduan, Kg Bolotikon and Kg Mandalipau. – June 27, 2019.