Several Orang Asli activists believe that the Pos Tohoi Orang Asli Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKOA) chairperson Zainal Chali did not represent most of his villagers in claiming that they were willing to relocate.

According to Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM) deputy secretary Jamali Ayau, Zainal did not discuss the matter with Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang villagers.

A report by Utusan Malaysia quoted Zainal as saying that the 200 Orang Asli families at the settlement were ready to move to make way for the Nenggiri dam project.

Zainal had claimed that the residents have agreed to choose Kampung Kuala Yai as their new settlement if the project were to proceed and that they will move from Pos Tohoi if the government agreed with their conditions.

"Zainal did not obtain feedback from the community. Before planning something, he should have discussed it with the community to see what their decision is," Jamali told Malaysiakini.

It was previously reported that some 200 Orang Asli families will lose their homes when the area, spanning 5,834 hectares, is flooded for the project.

Dams won't solve flooding woes

Jamali said JKOASM has yet to study the possible effects of the project, but his group has received objections from the Pos Tohoi community and there will be efforts to solicit feedback.

"We will ask them one by one whether they agree with it or not and their reasons behind it," he said.

Similarly, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Orang Asli affairs bureau coordinator Suresh Kumar believed that JKKKOA officials are likely to ignore dissenting voices.

"JKKKOA are normally a minority group which sides with the government. I don't think the (Pos Tohoi) JKKKOA reply towards the proposal represents the voice of the majority at Pos Tohoi," said Suresh.

He said that what the Gua Musang Orang Asli folk needed from the government was concrete efforts to stop flooding woes.

"Flooding is definitely caused by jungle clearing at the upper part of Nenggiri river. The authorities should tackle soil erosion rather than building a dam," he said.

Meanwhile, Badan Gabungan Aktivis Alam Sekitar Kelantan Malaysia (Bumi) activist Syam Ghas urged the government to present the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the project.

More than 1,000 families affected

Syam also urged both the federal and Kelantan state governments to protect the prehistoric archeological site at Cha cave, located near the Nenggiri river.

"If the dam is built, flora and fauna at the area will be affected.

"What's most obvious is that Pos Tohoi - which consists of more than 200 families - will have to move for this project. The Kelantan state government should identify a new area for their relocation," he added.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Maximus Johnity Ongkili in March confirmed that a preliminary study conducted by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) estimated that 5,804 hectares of land would be submerged for the Nenggiri dam.

The study for the proposed construction of both the Nenggiri river and Lebir river dams is expected to be completed by next year.

Bernama quoted Maximus as saying that a study on the acceptance of the local residents and the social impact of the dams found that about 1,000 Orang Asli settlers would possibly be relocated if the two projects were implemented.