Villagers plan blockade over Sabah dam project

KOTA KINABALU - Villagers affected by the proposed controversial Kaiduan dam plan to hold a blockade if researchers try to enter their area, Task Force Against Kaiduan Dam (TAKaD) chairman Nousi Giun said.

He said Tuesday that the villagers affected by the project feel that they should be consulted before they allow researchers to carry out a social impact assessment (SIA).

Giun said that if the villagers decide not to allow the researchers from the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah to visit them, they would form a blockade to keep them out.

He also said that local communities must be involved in the selection of consultants for the SIA and the environmental impact assessment.

Nousi said TAKaD had informed an IDS representative at a briefing by the Sabah Water Department that the movement could not speak for the communities and needed to hold discussions with them.

He said Penampang District Officer Luvita Koisun had announced at the briefing that IDS researchers would go to Ulu Papar this month to start the SIA process.