Maliau Basin, Bakun Dam and virus outbreak killing pigs

[Guest guest]

The Star - 17.11.01

 

Kota Kinabalu - The controversial RM4.5bil Kalabakan pulp and paper mill project

in south-eastern Tawau district has hit a snag after one of the three partners

in the deal appears to be rethinking its participation.

 

The Lion Group which was supposed to hold a 20% stake, had indicated that it was

no longer keen on the project. Under an MOU signed last year, the state

government, through Yayasan Sabah's investment arm, Innoprise Corporation Co.

Ltd was to hold a 40% stake in the project. China Fuxing Pulp and Paper Mill

holds the remaining 40% share.

 

The project had drawn concerns from various environmental groups as it would

involve clearing more than 200 000ha of jungle to make way for a forest

plantation near the pristine Danum Valley and Maliau Basin conservation area.

 

On whether Yayasan Sabah would propose to the state government to seek World

Heritage Site status for the Maliau Basin to ensure the area would always be

protected, the decision was that Maliau Basin, which had been described as

Malaysia's last natural paradise, should be preserved as there were numerous

unique plants and animals there. Despite the state government's move to make

Maliau Basin a Class One protection forest reserve, various quarters had

expressed their interest to mine the estimated 200 million tones of coal

deposits in the area.

 

The Star - 30.10.01.

 

The RM9bil Bakun hydroelectric dam project is generating keen interest from

international consortia. Nine multi-national consortia have already expressed

their interest in Bakun. Since the dam is a federal project the decisions have

to come from the government. The keen international interest augured well for

the project since the building of a dam of such a massive size will require all

the necessary expertise available.

 

The dam had successfully entered into its second phase of construction - the

building of the cofferdams which is expected to be completed by next year. The

three river diversion tunnels are being used to divert the water from the Balui

River so the cofferdams can be constructed. The cofferdams are meant to create

a dry area across the river so that the main structure - the 210m high main dam

wall - can be erected.

 

The main dam wall is expected to be completed in eight years' time. According

to the original masterplan, the main dam wall will be about 20m wide at the top

and 500m wide at its base.

 

The Star - 21.11.01

 

The Veterinary Department and pig farmers have been asked to be on alert for

any virus outbreak among the animals. There had been news of a disease

affecting pigs in China, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

The virus known as the Post-weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) was

killing about 80% of weaners or pigs between six and 16 weeks old in those

countries. Steps to control the import of pigs, especially sows, into the

country had been urged as well as other related aspects such as imported feed

meal, vaccines and drugs.

 

According to report, the virus had in the early 90s affected the livestock

industry of Canada, Mexico, France and Spain but there were no known effects on

humans.

 

The Pig Farmers' Association said that Malaysia does not import pigs for

consumption, but imported sows only from Denmark. It is learnt that imported

sows are quarantined for 30 days before being moved to farms.