Hulu Rajang
Encyclopedia
Hulu Rajang, in the state of Sarawak
, is Malaysia’s largest parliamentary constituency. At 31,817 km2 it is about the same size as the state of Pahang
, Peninsular Malaysia
's largest state.
The constituency also provides 2 state seats to the Sarawak State Assembly. The state seats are Baleh (N50) and Belaga
(N51).
The electorate consists of 7,000 Orang Ulu voters as well as the 10,000 Iban
. The 2% Malay/Melanau and 1% Chinese complete the 17,696-strong electorate.
Located within the constituency is the infamous Bakun Dam , which once completed will be the largest dam
in Asia
, outside of China
.
The construction of the dam was delayed several times due to economic circumstances, in particular the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. The federal government decided to continue the project, as billions of ringgit had already been spent on it. However during the early implementation stage, the plan was scaled down in order to reduce cost.
Nevertheless in January 2007, the Malaysian federal government announced its intention to reactivate the initial plan in its original size to transfer the power generated by the dam to Peninsular Malaysia via a submarine power cable.
The submarine cable will span a distance of 670 kilometres and reach the shore of Peninsular Malaysia at Yong Peng, at the state of Johor, southeastern part of the peninsular.It is expected to be completed the earliest by 2012.Before flowing through the submarine cable, the electricity will flow from Bakun to the western tip of Sarawak via over head electric transmission cables traversing a distance of 700 kilometres.The additional project is expected to cost between RM9 billion and RM10 billions.
Energy generated from the dam is expected to also benefit Sarawak
, Sabah
, neighbouring Kalimantan
in Indonesia
and southern Philippines.
The construction of the dam, however, has been accused of uprooting 11,000 Orang Ulu from their traditional homes, clear-cutting hundred of square kilometers of ancient virgin tropical rainforest
with consequent losses of hundreds of endangered plants and endangered animals, and forever changing the natural environment of Sarawak
.
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, is Malaysia’s largest parliamentary constituency. At 31,817 km2 it is about the same size as the state of Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...
, Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia , also known as West Malaysia , is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula. Its area is . It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore. Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra...
's largest state.
The constituency also provides 2 state seats to the Sarawak State Assembly. The state seats are Baleh (N50) and Belaga
Belaga
Belaga may refer to:* Belaga, Sarawak, town in Sarawak, island of Borneo, Malaysia* Belaga Airport, airport in Belaga, Sarawak* Edward Belaga, Russian mathematician* Julie Belaga, United States politician, a steamship...
(N51).
The electorate consists of 7,000 Orang Ulu voters as well as the 10,000 Iban
Iban people
The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and...
. The 2% Malay/Melanau and 1% Chinese complete the 17,696-strong electorate.
Bakun Dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, outside of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
The construction of the dam was delayed several times due to economic circumstances, in particular the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. The federal government decided to continue the project, as billions of ringgit had already been spent on it. However during the early implementation stage, the plan was scaled down in order to reduce cost.
Nevertheless in January 2007, the Malaysian federal government announced its intention to reactivate the initial plan in its original size to transfer the power generated by the dam to Peninsular Malaysia via a submarine power cable.
The submarine cable will span a distance of 670 kilometres and reach the shore of Peninsular Malaysia at Yong Peng, at the state of Johor, southeastern part of the peninsular.It is expected to be completed the earliest by 2012.Before flowing through the submarine cable, the electricity will flow from Bakun to the western tip of Sarawak via over head electric transmission cables traversing a distance of 700 kilometres.The additional project is expected to cost between RM9 billion and RM10 billions.
Energy generated from the dam is expected to also benefit Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, neighbouring Kalimantan
Kalimantan
In English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term "Kalimantan" refers to the whole island of Borneo....
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and southern Philippines.
The construction of the dam, however, has been accused of uprooting 11,000 Orang Ulu from their traditional homes, clear-cutting hundred of square kilometers of ancient virgin tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforest
A tropical rainforest is an ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator . This ecosystem experiences high average temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall...
with consequent losses of hundreds of endangered plants and endangered animals, and forever changing the natural environment of Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
.