[asia-apec 1742] INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE BAKUN HYDROELECTRIC DAM (Fwd)

[Kevin Li]

----- Original Message -----
From: Sam
Date: 2001¦~3¤ë12¤é ¤U¤È 08:58
Subject: [RWESA] INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE BAKUN HYDROELECTRIC DAM


Dear Friends,

While the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of dams are being questioned
around the world, it is with dismay that the government of Malaysia has, for
the third time, revived the mammoth Bakun Hydroelectric Dam project.

Bakun Dam will inundate an area as large as Singapore, with it, 12 totally
protected species and 93 protected species of wildlife; 1,230 species of
flora and fauna used for medicine, food, fibre and other social uses, with
an estimated value of RM 22 billion in annual forest product revenue. The
project will create adverse impacts on water levels and salt water intrusion
in the river downstream, potentially affecting tens of thousands of people
in Sarawak. It will also cause degradation of fish habitat and loss of
fisheries resources downstream and in the inundated area.

The 10,000 indigenous people forcibly displaced by the project have not
received adequate compensation. Those who had relocated to the Kampung Asap
resettlement site are now suffering from abject poverty, malnutrition,
unemployment, appalling housing scheme and dire social economic condition.
Some have moved back into the dam site and more are inclined to do the same.

Details and petition form are available at http://www.suaram.org/bakun.

Thank you very much.

Regards,
Sam Hui
SUARAM & SOS Selangor