DAMN DAMS: THE POOR GET POORER IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

By Gundhramns Hammer
August 7, 2013

Source: SAVE Rivers.

Thousands of indigenous people from Sarawak (Malaysia), are threatened with forced displacement as the Sarawak government moves ahead with plans for 12 massive new dams (Video 1). These dams will devastate the traditional homelands of native communities, drown pristine tropical habitat, and generate methane gas, a dangerous climate polluter, according to SAVE Rivers Sarawak.

                                                  Video 1. The last frontier.

Who is behind this damn damming of Sarawak´s rivers?

The Malaysian government, the Sarawakian oligarchy and Hydro Tasmania, an Australian company that brags about being committed to sustainability, as they have explained in their Annual Report 2012 (p.5):

"Hydro Tasmania believes that being committed to sustainability and acting sustainably makes good business sense. Our sustainability commitment is drawn from our values and our Sustainability Code, and is used to frame business activities, policies and procedures."

Hydro Tasmania is a very powerful energy company, with many tentacles (Fig. 1), from hydroelectric interests in Tasmania and now expanding their businesses beyond their borders, focusing on the new "sustainable" fever, wind farms. 

Figure 1. Hydro Tasmania´s ownership structure. Source: Hydro Tasmania Annual Report 2012.

As usual, these massive "development" projects are carried out with public funds, which means putting the incurred national debt on the people´s backs, not for the benefit of the local people but to benefit the pockets of the filthy rich, wealthy nationals or billionaire foreign investors.

For instance, the Bakun Dam will provide cheap electricity to SALCO (Sarawak Aluminium Company Sdn Bhd), the company owned by the Taib family and which has been given the licence to build a smelter in Simalaju. 

The Taib oligarchy will make billions for themselves out of this deal, with a fucking midget investment of only RM2.00 (0.23 euros), as exposed by SarawakReport 2012. 

A real scam!!! The rich will get richer and the rich richer. Lousy thieves!!

No wonder displaced Sarawakian families are mad. To them, dams are really damn!

Do you want to change the world? Below is an opportunity.

Let us keep the pressure. Let us stop the destruction of Sarawak´s rivers and help the indigenous Sarawakians keep their land. Please sign the following petition:

SIGN HERE

Nowadays e-mails have power. Most crooks hate to be exposed. 

After all, these insane money hoarders are always striving to be thought of by the public as sweet philanthropists notwithstanding full of foundations to avoid taxes, as wonderful job providers, good for the economy and what have you. They thrive on adulation and can wither under rough public criticism. 

Remember, you´ve got the power!!  

References

Hydro Tasmania (2012). Hydro Tasmania Annual Report 2012. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. 172 p.

Disclaimer:

The posting of stories, commentaries, reports, documents and links (embedded or otherwise) on this site does not in any way, shape or form, implied or otherwise, necessarily express or suggest endorsement or support of any of such posted material or parts therein. The information herein contained is for educational and/or entertainment purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at anytime and without notice.