DUN Sarawak: Special committee on the issue of Bakun legacy

KUCHING, Oct 14: Murum State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) member Kennedy Chukpai Ugon calls for the establishment of a special committee to address development legacy issues in Bakun resettlement especially in the Asap River is being accelerated.

He said that the committee is important to ensure issues related to indigenous land rights of communities affected by the development of Bakun Dam are handled fairly, comprehensively and sustainably.

According to him, the matter was raised in a meeting with the Sarawak Premier on 25 February 2026 attended by representatives of the community involved.

"At the meeting, the Prime Minister of Sarawak suggested that a special committee or task force be set up to investigate the issue.

"I really appreciate the openness and concern of the Prime Minister in hearing for himself the problems facing society", he said.

He said this while discussing the Additional Supply Bill (2026) at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference, here today.

However, Kennedy said that the committee had not yet been established even though a follow-up meeting was held.

In this regard, he requested that its establishment be expedited by involving ministries, relevant agencies and community representatives to ensure all issues can be thoroughly investigated.

"The task force should be given a clear mandate to investigate the issues that arise and come up with fair, comprehensive and sustainable solutions", he said.

In the meantime, Kennedy insisted that efforts to resolve the issue of Bakun's legacy were not aimed at finding fault with any party, but instead ensuring the welfare and interests of the affected community continued to be defended.

"I want to emphasize that our goal is not to find fault with any party.

"Instead, we want to ensure that the old issues that still plague society can be resolved responsibly and wisely", he explained.