PKR and BN in working relationship in Layar constituency?

BETONG, Oct 31, 2014: Is it a case of PKR building a mini-hydro and the State Barisan Nasional erecting up electric poles. Good working relationship between two rival parties in Layar constituency?

"Not so," stressed PKR Betong Division chief Vernon Aji Kedit in a statement today.

On Oct 24th, Vernon inspected an on-going mini-hydroelectricity project at Pelepok Longhouse in the Ulu Padeh, Layar, Betong.

This rural community project was initiated by Vernon  and a Kuala Lumpur-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) earlier in the year.

Pelepok longhouse, which houses 17 doors, was selected for the project as it is the remotest longhouse at the headwaters of the Padeh River.

The longhouse, which is accessible by a dirt track dug out of the jungle by the longhouse folks themselves about five years ago, only has gravity feed water installed by the residents themselves, and no electricity supply.

Vernon said: “Residents of each door have to spend an upwards of RM200 a month on diesel to run their generators at night for a meagre three hours daily.

"This is a heavy burden when compared to people living in town areas who only pay an average of less than RM50 a month for electricity from SESCO, based on the same usage. We are talking the basics like lighting, fans, radio, television, refrigerator, freezer and washing machine.”

“While PKR and NGO started work on the mini-hydro, coincidentally, or maybe not so coincidentally, three months later the Government also started erecting electric cable poles along the dirt track to the very same longhouse where we are building the hydro.

"It seems the Government would like to compete with us,” quipped Vernon.

Vernon issued a challenge to the authorities by saying:“Does PKR have to start building mini-hydros in all the longhouses in Layar constituency that do not have electricity supply for the Government to start acting and giving electricity to them?"

Vernon also showed a photograph of a longhouse called Nanga Mujau in the Spak district in Layar which has electric cable poles and cables in front of the longhouse but the cables are yet to be connected to the main grid since 2011.

“Along the dirt tracks to other nearby longhouses like Luing, Temedak and Gerugu, more electric poles lie by the side, with creepers growing over them," he said.

“It is the hope of the residents of these longhouses which have electric cable poles but no electric cables that the Government will finally connect electric cables and bring electricity to these places as promised since 40 years ago.

"Otherwise these cables will continue to be known as “tiang pemula” (Liar’s Pole) by the residents,” Vernon remarked.