Malaysia: Asian Development Bank to review loan to Sarawak Energy amid allegations of failure to consult with communities affected by Trans-Borneo transmission line; company responds
On 3 March 2015, activists gathered in front of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila to raise concerns about a US$45 million loan proposed for Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to build the Trans-Borneo high voltage transmission line. Activists alleged that SEB failed to consult meaningfully with communities affected by the transmission line and that the company has not paid fair compensation. They asked ADB withdraw as a potential financier. On 16 March 2015, the ADB reportedly announced that it would review the proposed loan. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited SEB to respond to the allegations. The company said: “we emphatically reject the latest allegations, which are merely the latest example of a long running campaign of vilification being waged against us.”