BAKUN HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

COMMUNITIES

Sarawak Energy is managing our business to minimise any negative impacts of our operations while maximising the positive contributions we make to our community. We are guided by the following principles:

  • We manage the social impacts associated with the operations of Bakun HEP tactfully and compassionately. Our strategy is to fulfil our social commitments by avoiding, minimising, mitigating, and compensating for any social impacts resulting from our hydro operations.
  • Livelihoods and living standards impacted by the project have improved compared to pre-project conditions for the affected communities. Our commitments to these communities have been fulfilled, and properties, assets, and resources are protected from any infrastructure safety risks.
  • The dignity and human rights of those physically displaced have been respected, and these matters have been handled in a fair and equitable manner.
  • The livelihoods and standards of living for both resettled and host communities have improved, and the commitments made to them have been fulfilled.
  • Bakun HEP continuously respects the rights, needs, culture, lands, knowledge, practices, and natural resource-based livelihoods of indigenous peoples throughout the project's lifecycle.
  • Physical cultural resources are identified, their significance is understood, and measures are in place to address those deemed of high importance.
  • Stakeholders are identified and engaged on issues of interest to them, with communication and consultation processes duly performed to maintain positive stakeholder relations.

Villages in Bakun Resettlement Scheme, Sungai Asap

Bakun Resettlement Scheme (BRS)

As part of the development of Bakun HEP, Southeast Asia’s largest hydropower project to date, fifteen villages were relocated in 1998. Located about two hours’ drive away from Bintulu, the resettlement area today is home to a growing community of over 15,000 residents with a robust infrastructure including essential amenities such as local primary and secondary schools, a clinic, sports and recreational facilities as well as shops and a fresh produce market.

Sarawak Energy acquired ownership of Bakun HEP from Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance in 2017 and has since introduced various social investment initiatives in partnership with the BRS communities to enhance their quality of life and livelihood. Sarawak Energy’s social investment programmes in the area are focused on education, cultural heritage and safety as well as entrepreneurship development and capacity building.

Today, the Bakun Resettlement Communities have experienced significant improvements, particularly in the areas of basic facilities, healthcare and education.

Bakun Resettlement Scheme Fact Sheet:

  • 15 longhouses with toilets, electricity, sports facilities, religious institutions and clean water supply
  • 157 kilometers of paved road access to nearest town (Bintulu)
  • 1 Community Hall
  • 1 Mini Stadium
  • 2 Primary School and 1 Secondary School
  • 2 Clinics
  • 1 Subdistrict Office
  • Government Agencies (Police Station, Post Office, Labor Office, Agriculture Office, MPOB etc.)
  • Religious Centres
  • Wet Market
  • Shop lots
  • 2 Communication Towers

Downstream Communities

Though impacted by the construction of Bakun HEP, the local communities living downstream of the dam and within the Belaga River were not relocated. Two Kayan longhouses nearest to the dam site are Long Mejawah - Uma Nyaving and Uma Apan followed by Long Segaham - Uma Kejaman Neh, Long Mitik - Uma Kulit, Long Semuang - Uma Lahanan, Uma Kejaman Lasah, Uma Kahei, Uma Aging, Belaga Town comprising two Kampung Melayu & Chinese communities), and other villages belong to Kayan, Kenyah, Kajangs (Sekapan, Punan & Tanjong) below Belaga town all the way downstream to the Punan Ba area.

Other communities residing within the Belaga river basin also include the Kenyahs, Sepings & Penans.

Upstream Communities

Meanwhile on the upstream of the Balui River, a Kenyah longhouse with a population of about 1,000 people – Uma Badeng in Long Busang, Belaga – was not relocated to the Bakun Resettlement Scheme as it was projected that the flood water level would not reach the longhouse.

In addition, some residents from the relocated longhouses such as Uma Kulit Long Jawe and Uma Balui Ukap have chosen to stay put by moving to higher ground within their respective communal territorial domains. There are currently three longhouses located upstream which are registered under the Belaga District Office – they are Uma Kulit Long Jawe, Uma Balui Lebuie and Naha Jale at Long Kebuho which were both previously known as Uma Balui Ukap.

Sarawak Energy, as a socially responsible corporate entity, also extends our corporate social responsibility efforts to these upstream communities to meet their needs.

Location of Bakun Upstream Communities