The Sarawak government may restart the Baram Dam project after the conclusion of the Sarawak election, Save Rivers chairperson Peter Kallang said.

Although the gazette for the project was repealed, he said it could be an election gimmick by Sarawak government for the coming state election.

Baram villagers yesterday rejoiced when they learned that the Sarawak government has revoked the gazette extinguishing their customary rights to land earmarked for the dam and its reservoir.

Their lawyer, Harrison Ngau, received a notification on the repeal from the state legal office, in a letter dated March 15.

Peter urged the Sarawak government to make an official announcement that the Baram Dam project will be stopped permanently.

"It could be used as an election gimmick. I cannot predict but they (Sarawak government) have the power to re-gazette.

"We think that the revocation is not final.

"What we want is for the Sarawak government to announce openly that the Baram Dam is stopped," said Peter when contacted by Malaysiakini .

He said the protest will continue, including mounting blockades, if the goverment makes an about-turn after the state election.

"If they restart it, we will protest and put up the blockades. I will meet with the Baram villagers to discuss the next step," said Peter.

Nevertheless, he said that it was a positive move by the Sarawak government to revoke the gazette.

He said that Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan had announced a moratorium on Baram Dam works last July before the gazette was revoked.

"We know that he also stopped all logging activities in the vicinity of the dam site, but such activities are still going on," he added.

Separately, Ba'Kelalan assemblyperson Baru Bian hailed the repeal of the gazette as proof that people power works.

“ I believe that the people have realised the importance of having a strong opposition and of standing up for their rights.

"The recent announcement of the revocation of the gazette extinguishing the NCR to land earmarked for the Baram Dam is proof that people power works.

“ We should not forget that ministers, MPs and (assemblypersons) are ‘but the servants of the people on whose goodwill and co-operation they are entirely dependent.

“ They are the ones who need the votes of the people and should refrain from threatening them,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the time is now ripe for change in Sarawak, and urged voters to vote for the opposition in the coming state election.