Orang Asli In Pos Hau, Kampung Redip In Urgent Need Of Electricity Supply

GUA MUSANG, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- More than 1,000 Orang Asli in Pos Hau and Kampung Redip here are in urgent need of electricity after the mini hydroelectric generator supplying power to their homes was damaged several months ago due to heavy rain and strong river currents.

Chairman of the Pos Hau Orang Asli Village Security Development Committee, Jumaat Arum, said the mini hydro project was s collaborative effort between a public university and a private company.

However, he said that following the damage, residents have had to rely on generators, solar lamps and candles, costing them more than RM300 a month.

“Apart from that, we also have to use solar lamps and candles for lighting at night,” he told reporters,” he told reporters in Kampung Redip, here, today.

Meanwhile, Director of the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) of Kelantan and Terengganu, Mohd Faedyzal Mohamed, gave his assurance that the department would take proactive measures to address disruptions to the mini hydro-based electricity supply.

He said JAKOA had outlined several short-term and long-term measures, including discussions with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan to identify improvements to the mini-hydro system, as well as ensuring regular maintenance and exploring the provision of electricity through TNB grid line connections for the Pos Hau, Pos Balar, Pos Belatim and Pos Bihai areas.

According to him, this measure is part of JAKOA's ongoing efforts to ensure that the basic needs of the Orang Asli community continue to be given attention, in line with the government’s inclusive and comprehensive development principles.

A  resident, Nordiana Anjang, 25, from the Temiar tribe, said her family had to use electricity sparingly by operating their generator only from 7 pm to 7 am to power lights, fans, and charge mobile phones — a situation that has affected her children’s daily activities and learning.

-- BERNAMA