By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 29: Sesco has been urged to waive the cost of RM14,600 imposed on St John’s Church in Kampung Punau, Jalan Puncak Borneo here, for the shifting of low tension (LT) overhead power lines to give way for a new building.
Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s Sanjan Daik, a political secretary to Chong Chieng Jen, said the charge would burden the church, which is a non-profit organisation that relied on donations from local churchgoers for their operation and other activities.
“Churches are non-profit organisations so how can Sesco be profiteering from them,” he questioned during a press conference held at the DAP headquarters here today.
“The church has no funds to cover the costs. Furthermore, the church already has to raise funds from churchgoers during every Sunday mass to carry out its activities. It will take a long time for the church to come up with the amount,” he added.
Sanjan suggested that Sesco, being a government-linked company (GLC), implement the work as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“Sesco should do it free of charge under its CSR, given that churches do not have funds to pay for the cost of shifting the LT overhead lines,” he stressed.
The church had on Aug 20, 2018, written to Sesco to request for the shifting of the LT overhead power lines located at the church’s hall, which will be demolished to give way for a new building.
However, Sesco in a reply on Oct 19, 2018, issued a letter informing that the cost to shift the power lines is estimated at RM14,600. — DayakDaily
