KUCHING, Nov 25 — The state government spends an average of RM1.2 million per household for those affected by the Murum hydroelectric power (HEP) dam project, who have since been re-settled at Tegulang and Metalun, said Sarawak Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said, despite the unreasonable and illogical demands put forward by a very small group of those affected, their resettlement programme was planned and implemented in a proper manner.

They were consulted on the site of the re-settlement, design of the longhouses and the amenities to be provided, he added.

“All these were made based on their choices and suggestions. Therefore, it is unbecoming to allege that the affected communities were never consulted,” Awang Tengah said in his winding-up speech for the ministry at the Sarawak state legislative assembly sitting here.

He said the consultations began in the early years of the project during the preliminary design which indicated the dam design and location were altered based on advice from the affected communities to preserve a site where the Penan’s sacred rock, ‘Batu Tungun’, was situated.

Replying to Fong Pau Teck (DAP-Pujut) and Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong), he said, the affected communities were provided with much better living facilities than what they had previously, complete with water, electricity and basic amenities.

Awang Tengah said the government also provided various other compensation benefits, facilities and livelihood restoration programme to assist them towards becoming self sufficient, including:

- relocation assistance of RM15,000 per household;

- provision of roads, schools, clinics and places of worship;

- monthly income support equivalent to RM850 per household for up to three years;

- support based on needs basis for the fifth year; and,

- land allocation of 15 hectares for cash crop plantation and home garden with training programme.

They also had access to about 20,000ha of roaming areas, allowing them a choice to continue with their traditional livelihood, he said. — Bernama