Something amiss about Bakun Dam

The Bakun Dam it is reported will cost a total of RM7.3 Billion Ringgit. Out of that RM7.3 Billion, the opposition MP for Permatang Pauh has revealed that RM5.75 Billion of that has come from the rakyat’s retirement fund, namely EPF. It was also reported in the STAR that for each month of delay in the “damning” project, the cost is RM10 million in interest.

Since almost 75% of this project is funded by the Rakyat’s future income, we have a right to know just how this Bakun Dam Project is going to benefit the majority of Malaysians? It is time that the truth be told and that the government no longer pull wool over the people’s eyes.

Here are some facts which I have discovered:
1) The Bakun Dam will generate 2400MW of electricity (clean energy) as compared to Tunku Jaafar Power Station in Port Dickson which generates 1500 MW
2) The power produced from Bakun Dam will not be able to be “cabled” to the Peninsular as earlier proposed due to the lost in energy from resistance. It is highly inefficient and the idea has been dropped.
3) Another Dam in Sarawak is now being proposed in Murum, Sarawak which will generate a further 944MW
4) The total from this 2 dams will generate 3344MW of capacity.
5) Sarawak during peak time uses a total of 900MW of electricity.
6) SESCO currently produces 1,300MW of electricity

Sometime ago there was talk of producing an energy intensive aluminium industry. This project which belongs to an Australian company was to set up shop in Sarawak. Sarawak and Malaysia has no source of bauxite which are the rocks containing Aluminium. The process of obtaining Aluminium from Bauxite is very energy intensive. So Malaysia now can justify the building of Bakun. Explain to the people then the waste that comes out of this process. What is the people of Sarawak going to do with the tonnes and tonnes of red sludge which comes out of this Aluminium plant?

So just why are these dams being built in Sarawak? Where have all the timber gone from the clearing of these rainforest? Where is all this excess capacity of power going to? The rakyat has the right to know. Is Sarawak once again taken for a ride and apart from destroying the wildlife and eco system of Sarawak how will it benefit the longhouses and natives of Sarawak?

The government must come clean and I am not talking about the energy but accountability and transparency.