Sabah Parks is still ascertaining if the proposed Papar dam, which is to be built along Kaiduan River in Papar will affect its conservation park area.

Its Director, Dr Jamili Nais (pic), when contacted, said he needed to get detailed information on the exact location of the new proposed dam. 

“I need to get the information on the new location for the proposed Papar dam.

“The previous location (the scrapped proposed Kaiduan dam’s location in Penampang) did not affect the Crocker Range Park,” he said, when asked whether the proposed dam would affect the Sabah Park’s conservation area.  

The State Government recently announced the construction of the proposed Papar dam, with the capability to supply electricity and water, said to cater for the long-term need for such supplies in Papar, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu and also Beaufort.

Penampang Bersatu urged the State Government to shelve the proposed dam project and look for other alternatives to solve the long-term water and electricity needs of the State. 

It is Chief, Senator Datuk John Ambrose, said there are many ways to overcome electricity and water supply needs.  

He urged the State Government to reconsider the construction of the said dam, despite having moved its location to the Papar. 

“Regardless, there will still be indigenous residents affected by the project. Instead of spending billions of ringgit on a dam and damaging mother nature as well as taking away the livelihood of indigenous people who have been living in the affected areas for generations, the Government should look at other alternatives, he said. 

According to Ambrose, the State Government has yet to reveal the exact new location of the dam, how many people and how they will be affected as well as the feasibility report for the project.