It is vital for the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) to carry out the social impact assessment (SIA) and special environment impact assessment (SEIA) before any further discussion on the proposed Kaiduan Dam can be carried out, said State Water Department director Teo Chee Kong.

Speaking at a briefing session for the community leaders of Kampung Terian and Kg Buayan, organized by the Penampang District Office at the KDCA hall here on Thursday, Teo said only when the two studies had been completed would they be able to figure out the impact the dam would have on the affected communities and environment, and for the government to take appropriate steps.

However, he added, the SIA study had so far only been carried out on two villages, namely Kg Kaiduan and Kg Bisuang in Papar and had yet to be conducted in the would-be affected villages in Penampang due to strong protests from the communities there.

The Task Force Against Kaiduan Dam (TAKAD) had in their previous statements regarding the matter stated that the reason for the protest was due to fear of the studies’ findings being used by the government to give the greenlight to proceed with the proposed Kaiduan Dam regardless of its findings, citing as reference the relocated Bakun Dam affected communities in Sarawak.

Acknowledging the authorities’ past mistakes in their approach towards the matter, Teo said the government was now more than willing to look into the needs of the communities that will be affected by the construction of the Kaiduan Dam, by first allowing the appointed body, IDS, to carry out the studies needed in the fairest, unbiased way possible.

Social activist Jannie Lasimbang, who was among the audience at the briefing yesterday however pointed out during the question-and-answer session that the questionnaire used by IDS in conducting the SIA study was 80 per cent pertaining to relocation and compensation.

Hence, she said, it was unfair to say that the studies would be fair, judging from the criteria of the study itself, which focused more on the communities’ relocation to make way for the proposed project.

TAKAD spokesperson Mary Giun, who also attended the briefing, said in her reply statement that while she was grateful that the IDS had involved community leaders in the research, the communities were not ready to welcome the researchers to their villages.

“There needs to be a discussion with representatives from the communities and SIA and EIA consultants that are appointed and trusted by the communities, or no researchers will be allowed to come and conduct the studies,” she said.

Meanwhile, Teo also spoke about three alternatives to overcome water supply shortage in the west coast of Sabah, including desalination, inter-district water transfer and water reclamation from sewerage.

While the three alternatives mentioned are doable, he said, they would incur higher costs compared to building the Kaiduan Dam, which he said would only affect three villages, namely Kg Babagon Laut, Kg Timpayasa and Kg Tiku, consisting of about 242 people from 38 families.

Jannie rebutted this during the question-and-answer session by saying that preserving water catchment would be more cost effective than to build a dam.

“The Papar River water catchment is one of the best in the country. The cost of building the Kaiduan dam at RM2.8 billion may sound cheaper compared to the cost of the other alternatives, however, its impact on the society and the environment in the long run will be even more costly compared to preserving the catchment,” she said.

The briefing which saw JKKK chairpersons, village chiefs and government department and agencies heads and staff attending, lasted three hours, with Teo explaining the past, current and predicted demand for water in the State’s West Coast area, apart from the matters earlier mentioned.

It also saw the screening of a promotional video of the Kaiduan Dam and the relocated Begoh Dam affected communities’ settlement in Kuching.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Amy Dangin

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