AN indigenous ethnic group faces an uncertain future after a Malaysian tycoon withdrew from the M$15 billion (HK$32.66 billion) Bakun Dam hydroelectric project in central Sarawak.
The lives of more than 9,000 Orang Ulu, who survive on farming and fishing, have already been disrupted by the government-backed project to block the Batang Balui river and flood their land.
But the decision by Ting Pek Khiing, executive chairman of Ekran Berhad, to pull out of the project and seek compensation has added to their problems.
A spokesman for a human rights group said people had delayed planting rice while waiting for resettlement, which had been postponed several times, and were dependent on uncertain outside sources for food.
The Orang Ulu went to the High Court in an attempt to stop Mr Ting's company building the dam - seen as a legal battle between one of the country's richest citizens and its poorest.
Ekran won the court case but it turned out to be something of a hollow victory for Mr Ting.