The Bakun Dam is reported to cost a total of RM7.3 billion. Out of that RM7.3 billion, the opposition MP for Permatang Pauh has revealed that RM5.75 billion has come from the rakyat’s retirement fund, namely the EPF.

It was also reported that for each month of delay in the ‘damning’ project, the cost is RM10 million in interest.

Since almost 75% of this project is funded by the rakyat’s future income, we have a right to know just how this Bakun dam project is going to benefit the majority of Malaysians. It is time that the truth be told and that the government no longer pull wool over the people’s eyes.

Here are some facts which I have discovered:

1. The Bakun dam will generate 2,400MW of electricity (clean energy) as compared to the Tunku Jaafar power station in Port Dickson which generates 1,500 MW

2. The power produced from Bakun will not be able to be ‘cabled’ to the Peninsular as earlier proposed due to a loss in energy from resistance. It is highly inefficient and the idea has been dropped.

3. Another dam in Sarawak is now being proposed in Murum which will generate a further 944MW.

4. The total from these two dams will generate 3,344MW of capacity.

5. Sarawak during peak time uses a total of 900MW of electricity.

6. Sesco (the Sarawak power authority) currently produces 1,300MW of electricity.

Sometime ago, there was talk of producing an energy-intensive aluminum industry. This project - which belongs to an Australian company - was to set up shop in Sarawak. Sarawak and Malaysia have no source of bauxite which are the rocks containing aluminum.

The process of obtaining aluminum from bauxite is very energy-intensive. So Malaysia now can justify the building of Bakun. Explain to the people then the waste that comes out of this process.

What are the people of Sarawak going to do with the tonnes and tonnes of red sludge which comes out of this aluminum plant?

So just why are these dams being built in Sarawak? Where have all the timber gone from the clearing of the rainforests there? Where is all this excess capacity of power going to? The rakyat have the right to know.

Is Sarawak once again being taken for a ride? Apart from destroying the wildlife and eco-system of Sarawak, how will it benefit the longhouses and natives of Sarawak?

The government must come clean and I am not talking about the energy but about accountability and transparency.