On Today Show
— Simo Sekam- Resident of Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh – Living Dam-Free: Nyegol's Example on mini hydro, eco-tourism and reforestation - the Possibilities for Other Communities
— Daeng Laing from Long Panai – Listening to the Majority: Concerns of Local Communities Contradict the Tutoh Dam Support by Community Leaders
— Bryan Tan, treasurer of MUDA Sarawak – MACC Independence: Muda Sarawak's Call for Credibility and Transparency in Malaysia
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Simo Sekam - Penduduk Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh – Hidup Bebas Dari Empangan: Contoh Nyegol Mengenai Mini Hidro, Ekopelancongan, dan Penanaman Semula - Kemungkinan untuk Komuniti Lain
— Daeng Laing dari Long Panai – Mendengar Suara Majoriti: Keberimbangan Komuniti Tempatan Menentang Sokongan Pemimpin Komuniti terhadap Empangan Tutoh
— Bryan Tan, bendahari MUDA Sarawak – Kemerdekaan SPRM: Seruan MUDA Sarawak untuk Kebolehpercayaan dan Ketelusan di Malaysia
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Simo Sekam- Resident of Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh (In the Puncak Borneo Parliamentary constituency).
*Living Dam-Free: Nyegol's Example on mini hydro, eco-tourism and reforestation - the Possibilities for Other Communities*
In 2007 the Sarawak government made a decision to build the Bengoh dam to supply clean water to the people of Kuching City. In 2010 Bengoh Dam was completed. Some villages were relocated because they were in the project area. But the villagers of Nyegol decided not to move and only moved to higher ground that was not flooded.
Looking back on a decision made 17 years ago, Simo along with 15 other families do not regret to continue living in the dam area. They now inherit their family's NCR land of more than 5000 hectares. They cultivate a small part of the land by planting rice, fruit orchards, replanting trees and running a homestay.
Besides that, Simo and his friends since 2 years ago have started planting 10 thousand trees of various species of tropical trees and now there are still 10 thousand more trees that are still in the nursery. Simo said that they get clean water supply from gravity pipes and work on a mini hydro dam with the help of the NGO Light Up Borneo, and the tree planting project in collaboration with SEB.
This is a very intriguing phenomenon. Initially, the construction of the SEB dam forced several villages to relocate, but now they also recognize and support the village that is reluctant to move, and are involved in a planting project.
Simo said that remembering what happened to them, the government's plan to build the Bengoh dam to supply water to the people of Kuching - has failed. Until now there is no pipe installation from the Bengoh dam to the City Center. They won when they took their case to court in 2014, and they got compensation.
Simo said that they are grateful to Yb See Che How who helped them a lot.
“I advise all residents who are victims of the dam not to give up hope. We have to creatively try to stay alive and have rights on our NCR land. ”
Simo encourage the indigenous communities who facing the same issue, do not give up to protect their land.
