By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 18: The Sarawak government may consider allowing local communities to hold equity participation in cascading dam projects through a community trust fund guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposal would ensure that rural communities also share in the benefits of renewable energy developments carried out in their areas.
“We can try to find a way for local people to participate in terms of equity, maybe five to ten per cent, which we can channel back through a trust fund for local community development under ESG,” he said when speaking at Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) 6th Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
This approach, he said, would align with international ESG standards while ensuring inclusivity in Sarawak’s green economy transition.
Abang Johari further explained that the cascading dam concept, which utilises the natural gradient of rivers to generate electricity, is a creative solution that does not affect native land.
“We hope the people would understand that we are not taking your land. We are only making use of the rivers that God has given us.
“Other countries share their rivers, like in Indochina where the Mekong River is shared by Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, or the Nile River which flows from Egypt to the northern part of Africa.
“But in Sarawak, not only do we not share our rivers with other countries, we also have many of them—such as the Sarawak River, Batang Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Batang Lupar, Batang Rajang and Batang Baram,” he elaborated.
Additionally, he said the movement of water from these dams would also create ripples that deter crocodiles from breeding along the riverbanks.
“This way, we solve two issues at once–generate electricity and chase away crocodiles because the water will be in motion,” he added. – DayakDaily
