Pro-environment group wants Suhakam to probe dam project in Laos

Human rights and environmentalist group Earth Rights today urged the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to intervene in the construction of the Don Sahong dam in Laos, a project which involves a Malaysian firm.

Mekong Legal Coordinator Tanja Venisnik said they wanted Suhakam to conduct investigations into allegations that the project infringed on the rights of the locals residing by the Mekong River, which runs through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

The hydroelectric dam is a joint project by Mega First Corporation Berhad, a Malaysian firm based in Petaling Jaya, and the Laos government.

The project is part of the Laos government's efforts to turn the country into Southeast Asia's source of electricity.

"We tried to contact Mega First through letters and email, but we didn't receive any response," said Venisnik when submitting a memorandum to Suhakam at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were representatives of residents from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Venisnik later clarified that she made it to the Mega First headquarters but was informed by two employees who told her that the people working on the Laos project was not based at the headquarters.

"They also accepted the community statement we prepared and promised to forward it to the Don Sahong project team," she added.

Mega First expects its project ‎to be completed by 2019. – October 20, 2014.