President Of The National Dayak Customary Council: The Kayan Hydropower Project Is An Award From God

President of the National Dayak Customary Council (MADN) Marthin Billa. (Photo: Theresia Agatah/VOI)

BULUNGAN - President of the National Dayak Customary Council (MADN) Marthin Billa said the Kayan Hydro Energy (KHE) hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) project being built will have various positive impacts. One of them is to advance the Kayan area itself in the North Kalimantan (Kaltara) region.

"Of course this is a gift for us, a blessing from God. For what reason? Maybe hundreds of years our ancestors live here. Yes, I have (his condition), but with this PLTA commitment (from PT KHE). It will certainly provide a very positive example to advance this area," said Marthin at the PT Kayan Hydro Energy Thanksgiving event and Thank you for the support of the Government, Society and Customs to the Kayan Hydro Energy Hydro Hydro Power Plant at the location, Thursday, May 30.

As a community, Marthin welcomed the efforts being made by PT KHE to build the Kayan hydropower plant.

He also stated his readiness to support the construction of the project.

"As a community, we welcome, support and are ready to be involved with all PT KHE activities as well as ready to protect the Kayan area. So, this provides benefits to our people in this area," he said.

Marthin assessed that this project would advance the regional economy. So that Kayan itself can become an advanced area like other regions in Indonesia.

"Therefore, we are ready to participate in activities (development). The important thing is to build our community, both directly in this location and in all other areas," said Marthin.

"So, in the future this area (Kayan) will progress like any other place," he continued.

Marthin hopes that the entire surrounding community will support this project, so that it can run well.

"Let's support this project, secure activities that have gone well. What the company hopes will help them, please. Of course, we also don't demand much, really. If you really need employees, please involve our children according to the existing capabilities. Thus, it will provide economic progress for this area," he added.

The Kayan Cascade hydropower plant will utilize areas along the Kayan River in Peso District, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara).

Consisting of five dams with 5 to 6 units of generating turbines in each dam.

Later, this hydropower plant will produce clean electricity with a total of 9,000 Megawatts (MW).

The plan is that this project will attract investment of up to 17.8 billion US dollars or around Rp277.2 trillion.