Development must respect Indigenous rights and address the genuine needs of local communities. More than 100 representatives from 40 Penan communities have unanimously rejected a proposal to construct hydroelectric dams along the Tutoh River in Baram. The proposal involves the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Tutoh River, a river system that has sustained the Penan communities for generations. Rather, they believe that development must respect Indigenous rights and address the genuine needs of local communities. The affected Penan communities have not given their consent for this project to proceed,” Komeok Joe said.