Energy Development

for Whom and at

Whose Expense?

CHALLENGING THE ASEAN ENERGY AGENDA AND

ASSERTING OUR RIGHTS TO SELF-DETERMINATION

‘Alphabet Soup’ of ASEAN Power Planning

MPAC: Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity

IMT-GT: Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle

BIMP-EAGA: Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-The Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area

HAPUA: Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities

ADB: Asian Development Bank

Flagship & Priority Projects

Melaka-Pekanbaru Power Interconnection (Malaysia to Sumatra)

Sarawak - West Kalimantan (Trans-Borneo Power Grid)

East Sabah - East Kalimantan

Sabah - Philippines

A Questionable Official Narrative

The ASEAN Power Grid is supposed to “promote more efficient, economic, and secure operation of power systems through harmonious development of national electricity networks in ASEAN by region-wide interconnections”

But the reality in our communities tells a different story…

Justifying Mega-Dams

Building high voltage transmission lines across borders means the power is not for local consumption. It prioritizes the economic demands of industry and justifies building more mega-dams.

According to ASEAN policy makers: “To meet the fast growing demand for electricity and expectation of affordable electricity tariffs in the region, the development of large scale power generation plants such as hydropower and geothermal option are indispensible.”

Photos of

dams and

transmission

lines

Living under the Trans-Borneo grid (Mambong-W. Kalimantan)

Fact-finding mission launched in January 2015

Key findings:

Sarawak Energy Berhad has failed to hold meaningful

community consultations and to obtain the free, prior and

informed consent by the affected Bidayuh and Iban

indigenous communities

The compensation offered by the Sarawak Energy has been

inadequate and in some cases, non-existent

Sarawak Energy has failed to provide an accessible,

transparent grievance mechanism

Taking Steps Across Borders to Organize & Mobilize to Ensure

Respect Of Our Rights to Land, Life & Dignified Livelihood…

Taking Action to Protest the ASEAN

Energy Agenda of Mega-Dams and

Asserting our Right to Self-

Determination Petitions have been submitted to Government authorities

Ongoing legal actions: court cases are being prepared and continue to be filed

Road blockades and street protests

Reports to the police and Anti-Corruption Commission

Visit to the Asian Development Bank to urge them not to finance the transmission lines

Submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Press statements against the dams and transmission lines nationally and internationally