23 November 2012

For Immediate Release

The campaign for stopping the involvement of Hydro Tasmania in the Sarawak’s mega dams project was officially launched on the 23rd November 2012 with a meeting at the State Parliament for the state of New South Wales in Sydney Australia.

The meeting was held with Mr. John Kayes, a member of the Australian Green Party and an elected member of the Legislative Council at the Upper House. Representing Save Rivers were Mr. Peter Kallang, the Chairman of Save Rivers and Ketua Kampung Mr. James Nyurang both from Baram, Sarawak. Hydro Tasmania,a company owned by the government of the state of Tasmania. It is providing skilled manpower to Sarawak Energy Berhad under a secondment arrangement with Hydro Tasmania’s subsidiary, Entura.

Among the personnel seconded by Entura to Sarawak Energy Berhad are Mr. Andrew Pattle, who was the project Director for the Murum dam and now the Senior Project Manager for the Baleh and Baram Dam, Mr. Mike Smith a Vice President and Head of Planning and Strategy at Sarawak Energy Berhad, and Mr. Nick Wright a Vice President looking after the Corporate and Social Responsibility at Sarawak Energy Berhad. Mr. Nick Wright was formerly an Advisor to the Minister Energy Minister of the state of Tasmania. In Sarawak Energy Berhad, Mr. Wright responsibility in the dam project involves the resettlement of those affected, the compensation, sustainability and consultation.

Commenting on Save Rivers campaign in Australia, Mr Peter Kallang said that it was necessary as Hydro Tasmania plays a very important role in the building of the 12 dams in Sarawak. Mr. Peter Kallang said, “We want Hydro Tasmania to stop providing their service in building the dams in Sarawak, which is built with total disregard for the wellbeing or consent of the people affected and cause total and irreversible environmental destruction. The government of Australia has to intervene and stop this government owned company in this involvement. We appeal to the Australian public to support our cause. Instead of these mega dams, we would like to request Hydro Tasmania to help the people of Sarawak in setting up alternative source of electrical power in collaboration with the indigenous people and which is environmentally friendly.”

In receiving the representatives from Sarawak, Mr. John Kayes gave his support for the campaign in Australia. From Sydney, Mr. Peter Kallang and Ketua Kampung James Nyurang will travel to Canberra, Hobart, Launceston and Melbourne where they will have meetings with Politicians and Companies in Australia.

- End -

Prepared by:
Peter Kallang
Chairman Save Rivers
Email: peterkallang@yahoo.com


At parlement gardern: Left to Right: James Nurang, John Kaye & Peter Kallang




Welcomed by a representative of the Australian indigenous people: Left to Right: Peter Kallang, Dominic Wy Kanak (Waveley Council Member) & James Nyurang

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