BAKUN - The burning of timber waste in Bakun will only be done along the 100km fringe of the dam's reservoir, not inside the reservoir proper, according to Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, The Star reported.

"We have no choice but to burn the debris because there is a danger that it may be washed into the river and sucked into the turbines of the power-generation plant," the dam's developer said.

It was commenting on The Star's report that environmentalists were concerned that the burning of timber waste might spark an environmental crisis. The developer said it had explained to Bakun folk chief Pemanca Umek Jeno the rationale for burning the timber waste.

"The developer has assured us that there will be no environmental crisis. The burning will not be done inside reservoir area but only along the fringe," Umek said.