The Three Gorges Dam in China.
Freddy gives his point of view on the proposed Baram Dam.
MIRI: The recent study tour to China is an eye-opener for a Penan community leader, Freddy Laing, as it will benefit his people in as far as the proposed Baram Dam is concerned.
Freddy, 40, from Long Lilim was among four Penan headmen and 24 community leaders from the Baram who went on a study trip to the Three Gorges Dam in China.
“I am confident that the proposed Baram Dam will benefit many people from the area, especially the Penans. The dam will transform the Baram into something far better than what they have today,” he told a dialogue session in Ba’Abang recently.
Freddy said the visit to Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam in the heart of Yangtze River and briefing by the officials was an eye opener for him.
“I learn a lot from what I saw and heard (from briefing) from the officials, far different from what were claimed by non-governmental-organizations (NGOs) particularly ‘SAVE the River’ which instilled fear that we will be drowned by the project.
“The NGOs also tell us the government has a hidden agenda in building the dam…to wipe out the whole community, their culture and heritage.
“I heard from the very people affected by the Three Gorges Dam in China that life was much better with the dam than it was before. They are economically and socially better. The resettlement areas are well equipped with infrastructure and all the creature comfort.”
Freddy said the proposed Baram Dam, likewise, would definitely help to improve the quality of life of the local communities including the Penans.
He thus hoped the Penans would by now realise that the government was concerned about their wellbeing and would do everything it could to bring them into the mainstream development.
He, however, admitted that it would be hard to convince some
of the people as their mind had been poisoned by the irresponsible NGOs.