The Bakun Dam project in Sarawak is the largest source of hydroelectric power in Malaysia. The dam’s construction has created employment opportunities, improved infrastructure in Sarawak, and encouraged foreign and domestic investment. However, the project has also presented grave disadvantages for Malaysian citizens. The dam’s construction has led to the evacuation of thousands of citizens, destruction of thousands of acres of rainforest, and pollution of the environment (Choy, 2018). However, the utilitarianism doctrine justifies the construction of the Bakun Dam project. The utilitarianism doctrine claims that any action carried out for the benefit of the majority is right.
By utilitarianism, the Bakun Dam project is beneficial to the larger Malaysian population. This is because the Bakun Dam project promotes economic development through the provision of cheap power, infrastructure, and increased investment (Choy, 2018). The disadvantages only affect the smaller population in Malaysia living around the Bakun Dam project in Sarawak. However, by another doctrine, moral absolutism, the Bakun Dam project is unjustifiable. The doctrine advocates all actions must be judged by given universal principles.
The Bakun Dam project displaced the indigenous people of Sarawak with the promise of new land and unpaid power. However, the government has not been faithful in keeping its vow to the indigenous people of Sarawak. The displaced citizens still have to pay for electricity and live in infertile lands though they gave up their land for the dam. From the information above, it is clear that morally, the erection of the dam has harmed the indigenous people of Sarawak, who were affected most by the Bakun Dam project.
Reference
Choy, Y. K. (2018). Cost-benefit analysis, values, wellbeing and ethics: An indigenous worldview analysis. Ecological Economics. Web.