Scenario
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A 2 billion dam has been proposed to satisfy projected needs of 3.6 million people of Selangor and KL come 2004. It complements the proposed Central Raw Water Scheme (37 km tunnel for pipe water) from Bentong, Pahang to Ulu Langat.

Effects
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1. Changes in the hydrological regime - flood two Orang Asli settlements, the State Youth Training Institute (RM10 million), chalets, fish ponds and orchards and reduce water flow at the lower Sungai Selangor. Magnify pollution which may further lead to damage of cockle beds, mangroves firefly sanctuary and nearby agriculture.

2. Displacement of the Temuans - the Orang Asli will be forced to abandon their ancestrial land of Kg Pertak and Kg Gerachi. The Department of Orang Asli Affairs JHEOA gives assurance that each family would receive RM250,000 as compensation in addition to a house. Questions arises on where the new settlement would be and whether the new land is suitable for agriculture. At present, the Orang Asli are claiming for RM 2 million per family.

Let it be known that in 1965, the area was actually approved for gazetting as Orang Asli land. Where have their legal rights gone?

3. Loss of recreational areas - eg. whitewater rafting, waterfalls, jungle trekking, fireflies watching.

4. Loss of economy - agriculture and recreational downturn.

Alternatives
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1. Integrated Water Resources Management - water demand management, long-term water resource protection, basin and watershed management, and monitoring and control of river pollution.

2. Alternative water sources - groundwater, mining pools and runoff ponds.

3. Mandatory and voluntary reductions of water demand - incentives to reduce water use and maximise water efficiency through tax exemptions or increasing water tariffs.

4. Minimize water loss - repair leak pipes, faulty meters and hydrants and theft prevention (all which costs estimated 37% loss of treated water).

5. Decentralization - maintain growth away from congested Selangor and KL.

6. Improved management of current water catchment areas - no logging and no industrial pollution.

Sources
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1. Malaysian Nature Society (in separate leaflet)
2. Utusan Konsumer (April 1999)
3. New Straits Times (March 30, 1999)
4. The Star (April 20, 1999) - this is quite comprehensive

Help
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The deadline for commenting on the EIA is already over (15 April 1999) but you can still send your protests to:

Ketua Pengarah
Jabatan Alam Sekitar
Tingkat 13, Wisma Sime Darby
Jalan Raja Laut
50662 KUALA LUMPUR

My thoughts
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Destroy one of mother nature's wonders to satisfy needs for only 5 to 8 years? Some say the effects to the ecology is not that great. But who has the figures and facts to prove that? Who is going to answer for future negative results? My thoughts are simple - don't mess with nature or it will mess with you.