SAVE Rivers

Miri – Saying that building access road to Ulu Baram must be subjected to building of Hydroelectric Dam sounds like blackmailing. Like any other citizen anywhere in any country, the people of Baram are entitled to infrastructure and all other amenities which the government of the day should provide. If the statement made by Tan Sri Datu Amar Dr. James Masing as reported in the Borneo Post on the 30 th  June 2017, title, “Masing: No dam, no road” is the official stand of the state government, it is no doubt that this is an intimidation and a simplistic view. Blaming the people for opposing the dam is also a government’s admission for failing its democratic duty which is “the government of the people, for the people and by the people”. The people of Baram have every right to reject the Baram dam and opt for any alternative development that they want. Furthermore, the former Chief Minister of Sarawak, the late Tan Sri Datuk  Adenan Haj. Satem at a press conference on 3 r...

Miri  – A year after their land earmarked by the government for the Baram dam was given back to them, the Baram villagers gathered to celebrate their victory and solidarity in defending their river and land. The celebration brought together folks from various villages in Baram and other parts of Sarawak to the Baram dam blockade site at Km15 in Long Kesseh. The festivity was held at the campsite which was built in 2013 to accommodate the protestors who manned the blockades for more than three years. Instead of the usual and constant shouts of “ Stop Baram Dam! ” which used to echo in the remote jungle terrain, the protests are now replaced with the soothing sound of the sape and the traditional songs complete with dances and modern music. The Geneh waterfall in Baram above the Tanjung Tepalit village Youth members of SAVE Rivers at the Geneh waterfall The celebration was held in conjunction with the International Day of Action for Rivers which i...