A Call To The Spirits To Stop The Damned Dam

Natives in Penampang Sabah have unleashed the spirits of PITOUAN TONDUK upon the heartless leaders of Sabah over their arrogance in approving the Koiduan Dam, costing a massive RM2.8billion. The Pitouan Tonduk or "Batu Sumpah"(curse stone) ritual (left) was performed with the slaughtering of a pig with it's blood overflowing the curse stone. The sacred "Curse" ceremony is only directed on heartless people who have malicious intent against the villagers.



More than 300 villagers were in solemn prayer during the demonstration at Kg.Timpayasa. Glaringly outstanding among the visitors present during the ritual were police special branch officers. Goose pimples were also clearly visible among first timers that witnessed the entire ceremony.

It was reported that the Member Of Parliament for Penampang cum Federal Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (left) and State Assemblyman of Penampang cum State Assistant Minister of Finance, Donald Mojuntin had originally planned to visit the affected villages but aborted or "chickened out" upon hearing that the batu sumpah ritual was going to be performed. Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) members from Penampang and the state Communications Bureau were however present to support the villagers.

On 7th.Oct.2009, I posted an article titled "Sabah Natives Strike Back...we'll defend our lands and rights with our lives". (Please read the post to understand the chronology of the events). On 15th.Oct, Donald Mojuntin (right) in a press statement was quoted as saying "he was embarrassed as he is also in the dark about the project". Subsequently on 17th.Oct, Bernard Dompok, in a press statement had this to say, "so far nobody has talked to me, I'm waiting for somebody from the water authorities to talk to me".

Surely Bernard Dompok and Donald Mojuntin are not under the impression that the people are still living in the stone age or nincompoops. Instead of shamelessly denying any knowledge of the project, perhaps as elected representatives of Penampang, which is predominately a Kadazan community, the question that both this "Distinguished gentlemen" should be asking is, WHO SUGGESTED THIS PROJECT? And WHO APPROVED THIS PROJECT?

In another press statement on 18th.Oct, State Minister of Industrial Development, Datuk Raymond Tan (left) had the cheek to say "there is no need to stage demonstrations against the project because it is just a concept at this stage". Ironically while Raymond Tan appears to be defending himself or protecting "someone higher up", this project was approved and a Letter of Approval was issued to the successful contractor, WCT Berhad.

Is Raymond Tan willing to deny this? Or is he talking with a fork in his tongue? Who is studying the project? WHO is doing the EIA?

In Malaysia the EIA is a BIG GREEN SHIT? It’s an an academic exercise to green wash environmental requirements after approvals have been given. Ironically it’s the project proponents who do the EIA. Where is the ethics? How can project proponents, whose only understanding of GREEN is the colour of money, do an honest job? Whatever problems raised in an EIA can be theoritically rectified by the project proponents’ con-sultants. They do not care for social, cultural or ethnic values, let alone understand human sufferings. To them “economic considerations take precedence over everything” and everything can be settled with money.

Meanwhile the village joint action committee chairman, Nousi Giun (right), reiterated that they will fight tooth and nail to prevent the project from going ahead. In a fearless tone, he also queried the government as to why the alternative site located at Mondolipau is not being considered?

It was also reliably learnt that more dams are on the planning board for hydroelectric power generation, water catchment and irrigation for agricultural development. Among the dams proposed are Meliau River in Sandakan(76ha), Lukutan River in Mesapol(149ha), Upper Papar River(233ha). Tawau River in Tawau(80ha), Pisukan River in Sipitang(44ha), Merotai River in Tawau and Mengkaladom River in Kota Kinabalu(73ha). In addition to theseare the Baiayo River in Keningau(176ha), Baiayo Upper River(96ha), Bambangan River in Ranau(30ha), Wariu River in Kota Belud(137ha), Mokodau River in Ranau(155ha), Serudong River in Tawau(510ha) and the Upper Padas River in Padas(201ha).

It is strange but true – the responsibility of the Huguan Siou, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (left) in championing the rights of the Natives seems to be a matter of the past – buried in history and with the legends. While Kinorohingan, the GOD of the KDMs sacrificed his only daughter, Huminodun, to save his people then, KDM leaders now are willing to sacrifice their people to fatten their bank accounts and provide a luxurious life for their children overseas. (Huminodun: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7637/kadazanDusun.html)

Perhaps the mainstream news media and online news portals, such as Malaysiakini could give special considerations in assisting the plight of these villagers rather then putting emphasis on political issues only. I urge the Malaysiakini correspondent in Sabah, Joe Fernandez, though a West Malaysian, to visit the village and have a hands on feeling and put emphasis on this important human issue.

I humbly call upon all concerned Sabahans to pray and seek devine assistance to support the villagers. Please also use your own network – SMSes, emails, blogs and kopi-tiams (coffee-shops) to enlighten the public and help STOP the damned dam.

May GOD be with the people of the land – the villagers.

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I had the opportunity to speak to the Chairman of the joint action committee, Nousi Giun which you can watch in the video clip below.