Lack of water, electricity bigger deal than BN infighting

S'WAK POLLS Voters in Pakan, Sarikei appear to be least bothered by any infighting between candidates linked to BN who are vying for the state seat in this Sarawak polls.

Malaysiakini’s visit to the constituency - located in Nanga Wak, about 74km away from Sibu - found that this was because the villagers are primarily concerned over the lack of clean water and electricity supply.

There are also areas in the village that lack proper access to the main road.

In the battle for Pakan, a state seat within the parliamentary constituency of Julau, BN is fielding incumbent assemblyman William Mawan, who is facing DAP’s Rinda Juliza Alexander and SPDP’s Dr Jawie Jenggot who is contesting as an Independent.

In the 2011 state polls, William had defended the seat he held for 25 years on an SPDP ticket.

Since then, William had left SPDP to form Teras, and is now contesting the seat as a BN direct candidate.

Eager to maintain its traditional hold on the Pakan seat, SPDP had retaliated to William’s candidacy by fielding Jawie as its own candidate on an independent ticket.

For the DAP, this would the party’s debut contesting in the seat with a voters’ population of 32,300, with an overwhelming 90 percent Iban-majority.

Its candidate, 31-year-old Rinda Juliza, is a native from Pakan.

During Malaysiakini’s visit, many voters were still ‘unsure’ of which candidate who could best champion their issues.

When asked whether they would continue to support the incumbent assemblyman or vote for a new candidate, many just said: “I don’t know yet.”

What they do know, however, is that they are pinning their hopes for an assemblyperson who can help to reduce their daily burden.

A long house resident, 70-year-old Rimau Juggol, said that his home has never had any clean water supply - relying solely on rain and river water.

Rimau, who is the long house chief, added that electricity disruption was also a common problem.

“No water, no electricity. (Even if there was electricity), at least three times a week there would be disruptions.

“For clean water, we only have a tank. We collect rain water and take from the river,” he said, adding that it is a 15 minute walk from his house to the river.

Eli Saed, 41, also shared Rimau’s concerns over the lack of basic infrastructure.

“Going to school to send and pick up my children is difficult when we have no proper roads. My motorcycle always breaks down. So many times they say want to build roads, but nothing.

“Here, we also don’t have water. We never had water. We only bathe in the river and take water from the hill. Since I was young we had no road, no water…until now, when I am old,” said Eli laughing.

Another longhouse resident, Ashimi Allaw, also said there had been many broken promises in the past to upgrade roads in the constituency.

“It is very difficult when there is no electricity, no road and water. Even to go to the clinic is difficult if there is no proper road. People can die half-way because they cannot get to the clinic on time.

“There were talks to build roads, to put in water. But so far, nothing. The excuse given was ‘no project’,” said Ashimi. -Mkini