KUCHING, Sept 22: The Muara Tuang First Response Team (FReT) came to the aid of Kampung Sebengis and Kampung Beradau residents in Puncak Borneo here this morning after water supply there was cut off due to their remote location.
Some 20 homes in the villages were affected, and due to the urgency of the situation, the Muara Tuang FReT sent help in the form of fresh water supplies to the villages, despite their location being outside their jurisdiction.
Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang said the FReT will be making several more trips today to these villages before the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) mobilised to the area.
“A report has it that the two kampungs — Sebengis and Beradau — have about 20 houses, and (are) a bit cut off from mainstream water and electricity supply due to remoteness. A gravel road links them, and it was just repaired a month or so ago.
“A Synderella Ann, who posted (about) the predicament on Facebook, was frustrated as she did not know where to turn to (for help). The area is at the fringes and within the jurisdiction of a few parliament and state constitutions, therefore it could be in the blind spots of the relevant agencies who would operate only within their jurisdiction,” he disclosed in a statement.
“It could also because the authorities find in difficult to mobilise their large water tankers as the road leading to the kampungs is too narrow and soft-surfaced.”
Idris, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief, revealed that in the spirit of ‘Sarawak First’ and human compassion, he had immediately directed the FReT to send help and deliver fresh potable water supplies.
He also urged the relevant authorities to review their standard operating procedures (SOPs) in looking into these blind spot areas because these villages are living without water.
“They had waited for some days for some response. I only knew last night through a WhatsApp (message) sent to me with a link to Synderella’ Facebook post, and I mobilsed my Pusat Khidmat FReT who reached them (at) first light this morning (Sept 22) at 5.30am.
“Some more supplies have been arranged to fill their water tanks that could last them for a longer period of (sic) fresh healthy sweet clean water,” assured Idris.
Meanwhile, Idris also said that Bengoh assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has also directed JBALB to mobilise quickly and to ensure all affected rural villages and settlements would be looked into in view of this year’s drought season. — DayakDaily
