By Roslan Mutu
KUCHING, May 23:The Orang Ulu community in Belaga district has voiced its preference for equity participation in business ventures linked to the massive Murum and Bakun hydroelectric power (HEP) lakes, rather than relying on handouts.
The call comes as the two mega dams continue to play a major role in Sarawak’s renewable energy agenda and economic development strategy.
The 2,520MW Bakun HEP, located on Batang Balui in the upper course of the Rajang River about 37km upstream from Belaga town in Kapit Division, was commissioned in 2011. The project comprises a hydroelectric power plant and a power transmission system connected to Sarawak’s existing transmission network. Depending on grid demand, Bakun HEP currently injects firm energy of 1,771MW and its reservoir remains the largest and most voluminous lake in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the 944MW Murum HEP, also located in Belaga district, was commissioned in 2014 and is currently Sarawak’s second-largest hydroelectric plant after Bakun. Together with Sarawak Energy’s other hydropower facilities, both dams play a critical role in advancing Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aims to elevate the State to high-income status through renewable energy development and reliable energy security.
Maren Uma Among Matu, who is chairman of the community leaders and village chieftains (KMKK) of Belaga district, said the community is seeking a more sustainable socio-economic future instead of depending solely on government grants.
“It is our view that the Orang Ulu community in Belaga should be given the opportunity to participate in any business ventures involving the Murum and Bakun HEP lakes. This would enable us to build a more sustainable socio-economic livelihood instead of merely being bystanders to projects taking place in our own district,” he said when interviewed yesterday (May 22).
Among revealed that a recent meeting was held with relevant authorities to discuss the community’s preferred business model and the possibility of developing floating solar projects on both Murum and Bakun lakes.
“We also hope that more members of our community will be appointed to the boards of Sarawak government-linked companies and statutory bodies that directly benefit from our two dams,” he added.
His views were echoed by Pemanca Umek Jeno, chairman of Lembaga Amanah Komuniti Apau Koyan (LAKAK), who said a recent meeting in Uma Bawang, Sungai Asap, included a briefing on the progress of the community’s application to participate in the proposed Bakun floating solar project, as well as discussions on equity ownership.
Umek disclosed that the local community had established a registered company, Permodalan Bakun Berhad (PBB), in 2024 to facilitate participation in business opportunities that could benefit the people of Belaga.
“PBB represents six beneficiary bodies from the local community, all of which are keen to participate in the proposed floating solar project in Bakun. We have already held several meetings on this matter.
“In addition, discussions have also been conducted with Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and officials from Sarawak Energy,” he said.
According to Umek, the six bodies are the Balui Lake Native Association (BLNA), Belaga Action Committee (BAC), Tabung Amanah Bakun (TAB), Lembaga Amanah Komuniti Apau Koyan (LAKAK), Persatuan Maren-Maren Uma Asap, and Persatuan Ketua Kaum Belaga.
He also expressed hope that the proposed floating solar projects in the two mega lakes would adopt a Canadian-style equity model, which emphasises indigenous participation through equity ownership and co-development rather than mere consultation.
Umek noted that the Canadian model, which recognises the inherent rights, data sovereignty, and self-determination of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, could serve as a suitable framework for Belaga’s indigenous communities.
On a related matter, Umek highlighted an unresolved issue involving the tariff rate for selling electricity back to Sarawak Energy.
“Currently, the tariff is about 18 sen. We want Sarawak Energy to raise the purchase rate to at least 20 sen because the people of Belaga are now directly involved in negotiations through PBB.
“This may be the most significant opportunity for the government to assist us after nearly 30 years since our resettlement in Sungai Asap,” he said.
Pemanca Tony Kulleh, chairman of the Balui Lake Native Association (BLNA), and Maren Uma Ellison Duren, chairman of Persatuan Maren-Maren Uma Asap, also agreed that the people of Belaga should be granted equity participation in business ventures involving Bakun and Murum, particularly the proposed floating solar projects.
Senator Michael Mujah likewise stressed the need for a more sustainable socio-economic arrangement between Sarawak Energy, the government, and the local community through equity ownership.
“When we speak about socio-economic sustainability, we are also talking about future generations. Once we have a sustainable source of income, we will no longer need to depend on Sarawak Energy’s corporate social responsibility funding whenever assistance is required,” he said.
Michael pointed out that, without equity participation in the Murum and Bakun HEP projects, local communities have yet to benefit directly from the mega developments.
“What we want is something permanent for our community, and this can only be achieved through equity participation in the proposed floating solar projects in Bakun and Murum,” he added.
Meanwhile, Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang, who is also Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, and Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon expressed hope that Sarawak Energy would strengthen engagement with the people of Belaga, particularly regarding the proposed floating solar developments at Murum and Bakun lakes.
They said meaningful engagement with local communities was essential to achieving a win-win outcome for all parties involved.
“The sacrifices made by the people who gave way to the construction of these two mega HEP dams must be properly recognised and addressed. We believe that only through equity participation in projects implemented at Murum and Bakun lakes can the livelihoods of communities affected by the dams become truly sustainable.
“After all, this is in line with the government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises social inclusivity as part of the broader goal of achieving a high-income economy by 2030,” they said. — DayakDaily
