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Building Trusan Dam contrary to Adenan’s wish — Save Rivers

July 26, 2017, Wednesday

Peter Kallang

MIRI: Save Rivers is not agreeable to the decision to proceed with the construction of the Trusan Dam as recently announced by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, saying it is contrary to what was announced by his predecessor the late Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem.

In a press statement yesterday, Peter Kallang, the chairman of SAVE Rivers, referred to a report in The Borneo Post on July 22 this year titled ‘Trusan Dam project to proceed as planned’, which quoted Abang Johari as saying the 100/200MW Trusan Dam in Lawas will be built after the completion of the 1295MW Baleh Dam in Kapit.
However, Kallang said in an interview with Channel News Asia in May 2016, Adenan had said the Baram Dam was scrapped as he had examined the matter, and there was no need to have another big dam.

He also said Adenan had mentioned: “We can have mini dams and so on, but not big dams especially when we don’t supply (power) to West Malaysia anymore.”
Thus, building another mega dam is not consistent with the wish of the late chief minister, Kallang pointed out, stressing that the modern and international trend is to build small hydroelectric dams that have minimum impact on the environment and the ecosystem.

He also said the late chief minister was really keen in renewable power source for the rural areas of Sarawak but questioned the need for Trusan Dam.
Kallang also quoted the then Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Peter Chin as saying that there should not be any worry about power shortage in Sarawak after the commissioning of Bakun Dam.

“Now not only do we have the 2400MW Bakun Dam but also the 944MW Murum Dam and soon the 1295MW Baleh Dam. So why do we want to build the Trusan Dam?” he asked.

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  My Comments:
  Sarawak is in the equatorial area and we have plenty of strong sunshine throughout the year.  I wonder why these political thugs are always so preoccupied of building more dams to damn us, Sarawak.  Why don't they develop solar power?
      If people opt solar lamps/solar lanterns for lighting and to have solar panels installed to get energy supply, how much will all these dams still serve the purpose besides those related factories to the ruling party and its cronies?
       We all know how much those involved can amass from each dam project proposed.  
       I hope all the Sarawakians will stay united to flush out these UMNO-BNised political thugs and parties for good.