On similar note (environmental issues) it would be interesting to see how would Sarawak topographical landscape looks like once ALL the 52 units of proposed hydro electric dams fully impounded? (1) What percentage of land will inundated above the dams? (2) What percentage of land below the dams will have water level dropped? (3) What’s the extent of saltwater intrusion within the delta areas as a result of water retention above the dams – problem with water supply? (4) What will be the transpiration and precipitation rate as a result of reduction in forest covers and an increase in water surfaces – climate change? (5) What would be geophysical effects of huge and closely sited impoundment – triggering landslides and earthquakes? (6) Projected increase in waterborne diseases? (7) How many of the rural inhabitants will be devoid of arable land (not to mention the heritage going to be lost forever)? and so forth.
The siting of processing industry for rare earth project is a taboo in “developed countries”. Containing its bi-products (mostly toxic and hazardous) is expensive – thus the methods of containment are often compromise in “developing countries”. The incidences of seepages and leakages either through compromise or terrorist/sabotage are high and the implications are equally drastic. Effects are not immediate and will only be realized upon prolong exposure – by then its too late.