Nenggiri Dam: Well-equipped new settlement for displaced Orang Asli

A new settlement complete with basic facilities and better infrastructure will be built for over 300 Orang Asli villagers from the Temiar sub-group at Pos Pulat, who are affected by the Nenggiri Hydroelectric Dam project.

Incumbent assemblyperson for Nenggiri, Ab Aziz Yusoff said an agreement had been reached between the project implementer and these villagers, hence the earthworks were being carried out now to build a new settlement for them.

“Almost 100 percent of the Pos Pulat villagers agreed to move out to a new settlement and they will be paid a living allowance of RM700 per month during the period where their new rubber holdings have not yielded income for them.

“The government has assured that their fate would be cared for and the villagers will be resettled with basic facilities such as houses, a school and rubber holdings to be provided,” Ab Aziz told reporters when met at Pos Pulat in Gua Musang, Kelantan, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Pos Pulat Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (Jpkkoa) treasurer, Ago Angah, 41, said the villagers have been informed about the resettlement project.

Ago said they were prepared to move out and were waiting for the next directive from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to move out to a new settlement complete with infrastructure.

We accept our fate

“In fact, we were told that we could choose the new location ourselves through the discussions with TNB previously.

“It is a big sacrifice on our part as we not only risk our lives by staying here while waiting for the new settlement to be ready while the hydroelectric dam project has already started, and for willing to leave this place that we’ve lived in for generations,” Ago added.

Mila Ajis, 32, said the residents accepted their fate and were thankful for getting a well-equipped new settlement. However, they would be moving out with a heavy heart as they loved Pos Pulat very much.

“This is because we have our vegetable plots and livestock, as well as our ancestors’ and parents’ graves here which we have to leave behind.

“Hence, we want the government to provide us with a tarred road, water and electricity supply and a school at the new settlement in return for our sacrifices in leaving behind our village," she said.

The RM5 billion Nenggiri Hydroelectric Dam project is expected to generate electric power by mid-2027.

It is also expected to raise the renewable energy capacity and solve the flood and long-running water supply problems in Kelantan, besides creating ecotourism opportunities.

- Bernama