BANGKOK: The proposed construction of cascading power sources has garnered positive responses from local communities throughout Sarawak.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said his ministry has been receiving official application from communities through local representatives expressing their interest.
“There are quite number of areas that are interested in having cascading power source in their area. Besides verbal inquiries, we have received official application from the elected representatives.
“Among the latest application is from Katibas constituency where the local community identified and proposed for the cascading power source to be at Sungai Tekalit and Sungai Bangkit.
“These encouraging responses show how the proposal to establish cascading power source has been brought to the attention of the local community who took the efforts themselves to assist in identifying the location,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after attending the courtesy visit with Thailand’s national petroleum company PTTEP today.
Julaihi said a total of 12 river basins were identified as locations for the cascading power source, adding that he is confident that the total would increase.
He said Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) together with his ministry are currently conducting engagement sessions with various local communities to gauge their responses.
“These engagement sessions also involve resident and district offices as well as community leaders. The local community’s participation is extremely crucial because we want everyone to be happy.
“We have the standard operating procedure (SOP) and we are following it accordingly.
“We do not want to be accused of bulldozing (the cascading power source’s construction) without consulting the local community and there is no forcing anyone (to agree),” he said.
Julaihi said the development of cascading power source will create ripple effects to the local communities.
“SEB will be taking the lead in this (cascading power source) and it will also involve private investments,” he added.
