By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 9: Sungai Gaat in Kapit has been selected as the site for a pilot project to study the sustainability of cascading dam implementation, which will only start with the consent of the local population.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the ministry together with Sarawak Energy Berhad has so far identified 11 river basins with the potential for the development of cascading dams, or better known as cascading power sources.
The 11 river basins are Sungai Tutoh, Sungai Tinjar and Sungai Baram in Miri; Sungai Trusan, Sungai Lawai, and Sungai Limbang in Limbang; and Sungai Gaat, Sungai Belaga, Sungai Danum, Sungai Balui, and Sungai Tekalit in Kapit.
“My ministry has also received several suggestions from the Honourable Members (assemblymen) verbally to implement cascading power sources in the river basins in their respective constituencies.
“I suggest that the concerned Honourable Members submit written applications to the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication for further consideration,” said Dr Abdul Rahman during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Meanwhile, he said, the ministry will consider connecting villages already supplied with electricity through the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) to the main grid, especially those nearby and with road access.
As for the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) initiative in Tanjong Datu, Dr Abdul Rahman listed two completed projects covering several villages namely Kampung Belungei Besar, Kampung Temelan Dayak, Kampung Kangka, Kampung Pugu, Kampung Sekambal Melayu, Kampung Selarat, and Kampung Matang Terap. — DayakDaily
