The Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam which was set up by communities
potentially affected directly by the Kaiduan dam is seeking support
from organisations and individuals to write letters to the Sabah
government to reconsider the building of this dam.
The Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam which was set up by communities potentially affected directly by the Kaiduan dam is seeking support from organisations and individuals to write letters to the Sabah government to reconsider the building of this dam.
In short, the dam will be built in an one of Sabah's most beautiful area, preserved because there was no road access to villages until recently and because of the communities' ways of life that maintain a healthy respect for the environment.
The proposed 150-metre dam will mean about 350 square kilometers of traditional lands will be taken as a water catchment reserve, including the flooded area of 12 square kilometres where 9 villages are currently located.
There are confusing information from the government that the dam project has not been approved yet eventhough the contractor already started to enter the affected villages to conduct an EIA.
Interviews with the community were far from satisfactory. Please also see the background (pdf) on the proposed dam and the sample of the letter to the Minister (pdf).
The next few weeks are crucial as the government considers what to do next after complaints from thecommunities that the Environmental Impact Assessment has not followed procedures prescribed by the State.
This period will also coincide with heightened campaigns locally against the dam.
The Committee hopes that organisations will join other groups/individuals all over the world to take a few minutes to print, sign and fax/email the attached letters to the Sabah Chief Minister, the Minister for Infrastructure Development and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment on Friday, April 9, 2010.
This statement was made on behalf of the Action Committee by Nousi Giun, Chairperson,
Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam.
