Suhakam slammed over meeting on dam

By Tony Thien

malaysiakini.com

2008-09-15 | Why did Suhakam keep its consultative meeting involving the Penan community affected by the new 955mw Murum hydro-dam project in central Sarawak a closed-door affair?

This question was posed by Orang Ulu lawyer Paul Raja, representing the village chief of a Kenyah longhouse also affected by the project, after he was barred from attending the meeting in the Beverly City Hotel in Bintulu on Saturday morning.

Tua Rumah Garah Jalong of the 60-door Kenyah longhouse in Long Lawan had wanted to go and attend the meeting himself, even though he was uninvited. But he could not travel out of the village because the road was seriously damaged by a landslip that day.

So an SMS was sent out requesting Raja, who is also PKR Bintulu chief, as well as several others connected with the village to attend on his behalf.

Rajah told Malaysiakini he arrived at 8.30 am after the forum had started but was not allowed in by Suhakam staff manning the reception counter outside the meeting room in the hotel.

The staff then referred the matter to two Suhakam commissioners -- Dr Dennison Jayasooria and Dr Hirman Ritom Abdullah -- who later told the lawyer the meeting was a closed-door session meant only for the Penan community from the Murum area. Suhakam deputy chairperson Simon Sipaun was also present at the meeting.

Contacted today, Suhakam's Sarawak-based commissioner Dr Hirman explained that Raja told them he was representing his client - the village chief in Long Lawen, a Kenyah longhouse - after they heard the Penan settlers affected by the Murum dam would be resettled in their area.

Resettlement

The Kenyah longhouse refused to be resettled in Sungai Asap when the construction of the nearby Bakun dam began about a few years ago.

Howver, Dr Hirman said he told Raja to write to Suhakam and his give views and comments.

He added that the lawyer was visibly upset after he was not allowed in.

Another NGO lawyer See Chee How told Malaysiakini that several representatives from the several Penan resettlements in Murum had sought the legal advice of several NGO lawyers as they were concerned about their situation if the Murum dam was to proceed.

The state cabinet had agreed to award the RM2.65 billion Murum hydro-dam project to a mainland Chinese company controlled by the Three Gorges Project Corporation , builder of the world's largest hydro dam in the Yangtze River.

The Chinese company is already on-site with its office and staff quarters buildings already completed together with electricity, water and telephone facilities.

See, who is also state PKR legal adviser, said the consultative meeting should have been kept open and transparent as it involved human rights and the rights of indigenous groups who also had the right to be represented and their case properly presented.

He added the Kenyah longhouse chief was fully aware of the issues and problems involved in resettlement as he was involved with the Bakun resettlement issue.

' The tua rumah is in contact with the Penan, advising them on the rights,' See added.

Dr Hirman told Malaysiakini Saturday's meeting was part of the whole consultative process involving the Penans living in the vicinity of Murum directly affected by the project.

'Basically we want their feedbacks since they are going to be re-settled and to know their stand on the dam project, the resettlement and what are their terms and conditions for resettlement,' he explained.

This followed a briefing Suhakam had with eleven government agencies, including Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), the project developer, about two weeks ago.

Dr Hirman said Suhakam would hold its own meeting on Tuesday and issue a preliminary press statement on the consultative forum with the affected Penan community.

At the same time, Suhakam would also meet environmental groups in Kuala Lumpur after which they would come up with a report on their findings and recommendations, he added.