Nenggiri dam: Over 1k Orang Asli to be relocated in 2026

A total of 1,200 Orang Asli from Pos Pulat, Pos Tohoi, and Kampung Kuala Wias, who are affected by the construction of the Nenggiri Hydroelectric Dam will be relocated starting in mid-2026.

TNB Power Generation managing director Muhamad Nazri Pazil said the Orang Asli, involving 245 household heads will be relocated in stages after the completion of the hydroelectric dam.

“TNB will relocate the Orang Asli before we submerge their settlement areas, covering 720 acres (291.3 hectares) in Pos Pulat and Kampung Kuala Wias, and 1,337 acres (541.7 hectares) in Pos Tohoi,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Nenggiri hydroelectric dam project site (above) in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

Meanwhile, RM10 million in compensation for crop and plantation damage has been provided to the household heads affected by the dam construction.

Nazri said the compensation began to be paid to the community on Aug 9 and 14.

He said the compensation was given because the existing rubber plantations and orchards owned by the Orang Asli had to be cleared to make way for the dam.

“For example, they (the Orang Asli) had rubber plantations or orchards in Pos Tohoi and Pos Pulat, and all those trees had to be felled, so we are providing compensation in the form of rubber saplings to be planted at their new settlements.

“In addition, TNB is also providing other forms of compensation, such as building houses, schools, surau, toilets, and various other infrastructure facilities,” he said.

The dam project

On the work progress of the hydroelectric dam, Nazri said it had reached 40.5 percent and was according to schedule.

Construction started in March 2022 and is expected to be fully completed in November 2027, he said, adding that upon completion of the project, it would provide 2,000 jobs.

The project will boost tourism and socio-economic sectors in Gua Musang, he added.

The RM5 billion project, located in the northeastern part of Kelantan, was said to bring multiplied benefits to the state, including reducing the effects of floods and droughts.

This will be achieved through the main reservoir lake, set to be 53.84 square kilometres and a water flow control pool 0.97 square kilometres in size.

Upon completion, the hydroelectric dam will hold rainwater during the monsoon season and help mitigate heavy runoff that causes floods in the lowlands.

The hydroelectric dam project will deliver 300 megawatts to the national grid when completed.

It is expected to increase TNB’s renewable energy generation capacity and strengthen the state utility’s firm efforts to ensure stable electricity supply for the people and the country.

- Bernama

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