Rivers and Dams

SCORE

On 11 February 2011, a new development corridor named the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) was launched, with it plans to build twelve mega hydroelectric power dams within the state to attract foreign investment and energy-intensive businesses.

Of the twelve dams proposed, two dams are now operational under Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). The 2,400 MW Bakun dam was completed in 2011, displacing 10,000 people from 15 indigenous communities from the various ethnic groups including the Kajang, Kayan, Kenyah, Lahanan, Penan and Ukit. The 944 MW Murum dam, completed in 2013 displaced 1,500 people from 8 Kenyah and Penan communities. Since then, these displaced communities have suffered an array of issues from basic necessities to land ownership disputes.

We Stopped the Baram Dam!

With the help and support from local communities and our networks, for more than 2 years, we managed to stop the Baram dam! The cancellation of Baram dam demonstrated the willingness of the state government under the former Chief Minister, late Adenan Satem in listening to the voices of the local communities.

However, plans for the other dams are still moving forward. These pose a threat not only to rainforest biodiversity, but also to the cultural preservation and human rights of the indigenous communities of Sarawak.

Join us to make a change, and together we stand for #micronotmega!

For more information on the real SCORE, please click here.

Baram Peace Park

The Baram Peace Park* is a proposal to promote sustainable agriculture and to prevent encroachment on the forests and land. The proposal also seeks to strengthen indigenous rights. The communities together with the government will carry out community-based projects to improve the livelihoods of communities.

The purpose of the Baram Peace Park is to ensure long-term protection of indigenous cultures, livelihoods, collective rights, and forests. The three core principles of the Baram Peace Park are: indigenous rights to self-determination, sustainable agriculture and development, and the preservation of cultures and environment.

Article 4 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states that “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to determination, have the right to autonomy or self- government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions”.

The projects of the Baram Peace Park would be guided by communities, honoring their rights to self-determination.

You can read more about the Baram Peace Park here.

*Note: The name ‘Baram Peace Park’ or its Malay translation ‘Taman Damai Baram’ is not finalized yet and will ultimately be determined by the communities involved. In March 2017, the Sarawak Forest Department has suggested the name ‘Baram Eco Community Forest’ (BECF).