LONG LAMA, Baram: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has assured that he is willing to listen to all parties before making any decision on whether to go ahead with the mammoth Baram Dam project.
Adenan said this after noting a group of around 500 Baram Dam protestors led by Peter Kallang waiting for him to arrive for the laying of the foundation stone for the Long Lama Bridge in Lower Baram here yesterday, and later holding a peaceful rally at the event.
“You are welcome to our company here. You are exercising your democratic right to express your opinion. I don’t want the issue of Baram Dam to be the issue that breaks the unity and solidarity among the community in Baram,” he told the group.
He said there was no necessity for the community to be enemies with one another just because of the dam issue.
“I am prepared as I told your leader Peter Kallang. You came to my office the other day and you are welcome to present your case before me. I am prepared to listen to you and what you have to say. On my part, I am also prepared to listen to those who are in favour of the dam,” he added.
“I have not made any decision or substantial decision to go ahead with the dam until I hear (from) every party concerned with the formation of the dam. I want to listen to all sectors before I make any decision,” he reiterated.
Appealing to the protestors, Adenan said: “Stop your blockades. If you don’t stop I regard it as bad faith. In good faith I will also instruct Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to stop doing any work in the area.”
Pointing out that the Long Lama Bridge will open up Baram, Adenan said the state government was fully aware of the importance and urgency of putting in place an efficient and safe public transportation and river crossing to Long Lama and vice versa.
An amount of RM115 million has been approved for the implementation of the project, which includes land acquisition and relocation works.
Adenan expressed confidence that the proposed Long Lama Bridge will create a direct, rapid, reliable and convenient river crossing for locals as well as visitors. Long Lama sub-district has about 37,028 residents.
“Apart from providing a much safer mode of transportation, the bridge will also enhance land development and generate more economic activities at both sides of Baram River,” he added.
At the function, Adenan announced an allocation of RM500 million for the improvement and upgrading of roads in Long Lama.
Present at the ceremony were State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, state secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Micheal Manyin Jawong, Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural) Dr Stephen Rundi, Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) chief executive officer Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandut, Baram MP Anyi Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.-Borneo Post
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