BARAM DAM WILL DAMAGE ENVIRONMENT AND DESTROY SOCIAL HARMONY.

DAP, Piasau, David.

OUNA- Orang Ulu National Association Miri.
The Press- The Borneo Post- 30.8.2011.
The construction of the Baram Dam will not bring development but permanently demage the environment and people in Baram especially those affected by the proposed project claimed OUNA. When making the claim, if the development carried out must be for the immediate and long term good of all the people with a minimal damage to the environment.
The decision for major projects like the construction of these massive dams should be made by the people. It must be a collective decision which is made based on well informed decision. The people affectd must know the pros and cons of the dam. The information must be made available freely to them and only after that can they decide on the proposal, something which OUNA claims have not been available to the people in Baram.
Stressing that the Baram dam is not required to bring development to Baram, OUNA said at least 90 per cent of the land mass to be flooded by the proposed dam's reservoir would be native customary right ( NCR ) land. For the Orang Ulu, their very survival from generation to generation has been based on the land. They are basically farmers and gathers. To disregard this fact would be to purposely disorientate the people and thus destroy a harmonious way of life. The relocation of the people to make way for Baram dam will definitely result in permanent social damage of the Kenyah and Kayan people who have traditionally lived in long house.