Displacement At least 20,000 people from 25
longhouses would be displaced if the dam is built, according to
International Rivers. The feasibility study estimated that 6,000 to 8,000 people from 32 longhouses would be displaced. This number has also been verified by Miri Resident's office. The displaced communities mostly consisted of
Kenyah,
Kayan, and
Penan communities. In the upcoming SEIA, a household register would be developed for proposed resettlement of the displaced communities. According to Sarawak Energy, the dam project would accelerate the development of Baram township and to provide work opportunities and better infrastructure development for the local communities. However, also in 2012, the Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia, a group representing local ethnic groups dwelling near the site, pledged their support to the project. A group of 300 indigenous people staged a demonstration during IHA 2013 World Congress held by
International Hydropower Association (IHA) at
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching in May 2013. Written demands were submitted to executive director of IHA, Richard M Taylor. On 23 October 2013, native protesters disrupted 30
Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) workers who were doing geological studies at the proposed construction area. Road blockades have impacted construction, one blockade has been erected near Long Lama and another one was erected near the proposed dam construction site. The blockade continued for nearly one year until 21 October 2014 when 50 police personnel dismantled the "KM15" blockade at Long Kesseh. Another blockade was re-erected few hours later. On 23 October 2014, the protesters celebrated one-year anniversary of the continuing blockade. In November 2015, the late Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri
Adenan Satem said that the Sarawak government had decided that the Baram Dam project had been shelved, though this is described as "temporary". ==See also==