Sarawak govt gets green light to build cascading dams
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said a committee had been set up to study ways for the people, especially those in the rural areas, to register with Padu. (Bernama pic)
KUCHING: The communities in three river locations in Sarawak has approved the state government’s construction of cascading dams in their area, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said.
He said the construction at Sungai Gaat, Sungai Tutoh and Sungai Belaga would be carried out by private companies, with the electric cable grid routes provided by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB).
“We have amended our laws so that the electricity generation can be done by private entities, but the distribution will be handled by SEB,” he said after a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Supreme Council meeting here today.
Cascading dams are built in Sarawak to deal with the crocodile population, generate electricity for local residents, and conserve river biodiversity.
Abang Johari also said Sarawak had established a committee to study suitable methods for the people, especially those in the rural areas, to register with the central database hub (Padu).
The committee is led by deputy economy minister Hanifah Hajar Taib and deputy minister in the premier’s department Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
“We will conduct a seminar to introduce the Padu process. We must improve connectivity to facilitate the transmission of data to the system,” he said.
