KUCHING (Oct 3): Sarawak Energy Bhd, the owner and operator of Bakun Dam, said they have already addressed issues raised by the dam safety flying squad concerning the safety condition of the dam, located in the Belaga district in the state’s interior.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state government-owned power supply company said issues of sedimentation formation, instrument condition, dam seepage, main structure integrity and soil erosion had all been rectified after the squad’s visit to the dam in October last year.

“Besides the audit conducted by the Flying Squad, Sarawak Energy also appoints independent international hydropower consultants to conduct dam safety review audits at all of its hydro dams, every five- to seven years,” it said.

It said the audits were in accordance with the requirements established by the Malaysia Dam Safety Management (MyDAMS) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD) guidelines.

In addition, Sarawak Energy has two certified dam inspectors by the Malaysian National Committee on Large Dams (MYCOLD), while the company’s dam safety division conducts bi-annual internal reviews, on top of the daily, weekly and monthly routine inspections conducted by its onsite personnel.

Sarawak Energy said they have been working closely with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) to train their staff to use internationally recognised hydropower sustainability standard tools, wherein 75 staff have been certified users.

“In addition, 23 staff are now recognised as provisional accredited assessors of the tools, providing a higher level of expert knowledge and demonstrating Sarawak Energy’s high commitment to sustainability.

It said the Bakun hydroelectric plant had won numerous safety accolades, including the International Conference on Dam Safety Management and Engineering’s Best Dam Operator (under the dam safety programme category) in March this year.

The plant is also the recipient of the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) Safety Awards; as well as winner of the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award (PMHA) Challenge Trophy 2023 and Excellent Achievement Award 2023.

The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Ministry in a statement on Monday (Oct 2), said the dam safety flying squad which it coordinated, had noted Bakun Dam as being among eight dams in the country found to be damaged, and could pose a threat to residents and property in the event of failure.

The NRECC statement said the other dams were Muda and Ahning Dams in Kedah, Jor and Mahang Dams in Perak, Sultan Abu Bakar Dam in Pahang, Babagon Dam in Sabah and Kenyir Dam in Terengganu.

It said inspections were conducted by the squad from 2021 to 2022.