Cost of resettlement of Ulu Jelai Hydroelectric Project

The Ulu Jelai HEP project is in Cameron Highland. Major component is building the Susu Dam on Bertam River, 80 metre high with 372 MW capacity. The dam will flood an area of 124 hectares, basically all are customary land and traditional territory of Orang Asli from 14 villages. 3 villages will be flooded and resettled, which are Kg Susu, Kg Tiat and Kg Pinang.

Chairman f TNB Leo Moggie claimed Orang Asli from this 3 villages will enjoy full facilities but villagers of Kg Susu who had been resettled told us that the PPRT houses were poorly built and water supply are not enough.

CEO of TNB Che Khalid Mohd Noh said TNB will compensate Orang Asli on crops and property losses in the project. What he failed to tell them is, they are not going to get any compensation nor substitution for their customary land which is 124 hectares which they are going to loose once the dam start its impoundment.

In every single statement TNB made to the media, they only mentioned that: " 14 Orang Asli will be involved", but fail to recognize that the land to be submerged is customary land which belongs to Orang Asli.

However, to comfort the Orang Asli of Kampung Susu who had been forced to move, TNB promised
verbally that each family will be given 6 acres of farm land in Raub to earn a living. Similar case had happened to the Penans and Kenyah of Murum who were resettled last year to Metalun and Tegulang, no sign of compensation or replacement of the land they lost was noticed. They same tragedy most probably would befall Orang Asli in Pos Lanai(  a few thousand of them) if they accept the proposed Telom Dam.