MIRI, Dec 2: Thirty villages from Long San are opposing a plan to relocate Long San’s health clinic to a site approximately one hour’s drive away.
Proposed to be relocated to Samling KM10, the clinic at Long San serves the nearly 30 villages within the area as well as a primary and secondary school.
“The clinic has been there many years and served the people in Ulu Baram,” said Baram Protection Action Committee (BPAC) chairman Philip Jau Ding, who was representing the community during a press conference today.
Philip suggested that instead of relocating the clinic to another site located far away from Long San, the government should consider repairing the current premise or re-purposing the Long San Community Hall to serve as the new clinic site instead.
Philip explained that during a dialogue session held on November 25 with Miri Health Officer Dr Veronica Lugah, the latter had explained that the clinic needed to be relocated for safety reasons.
“Dr Veronica pointed out that the existing rental premise was no longer safe due to worsening muddy, flood waters whenever it rained, and the erosion situation endangering the staff,” said Philip.
Baram MP Anyi Ngau and Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau were also present during the dialogue session.
“We are hoping that our DUN representative will help us to solve the issues, if the clinic is to be relocated it will bring more burden to the people,” he said.
The land where the clinic was built belonged to a Catholic mission, with monthly rental payment RM2,000 to the missionary. The tenancy period expires in December this year.
Also present at the press conference was PKR Baram chairman Roland Engan. — DayakDaily
