Dept denies ignoring Orang Asli’s water woes

 

The water treatment system at Kampung Selai in Johor is being upgraded, says the Orang Asli development department. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Orang Asli development department (Jakoa) has denied claims it ignored the plight of a community in Johor plagued by water woes.

It said water had been supplied to the Kampung Orang Asli Selai in Bekok, Segamat, through tube wells that were put in place by the department.

“Jakoa’s state chapter in Johor is also upgrading the water treatment system at Kampung Selai and we have appointed the tok batin (village head) to supervise the operation with a monthly salary of RM400,” it said in a statement today.

Jakoa also said each affected resident was compensated with RM1,000 from the contractor to assist in the repair of the drain system.

It was responding to a Malaysiakini report that said the Orang Asli community had resorted to using sticks and stones to mend their pipes and a water catchment dam.

Johor Orang Asli action committee chairman Achai @ Juti Kais said the villagers had been plagued by water woes and deprived of piped water for a year.

Achai also expressed disappointment with Labis MP Pang Hok Liong, Bekok assemblyman Tan Chong and the district’s Jakoa over their lack of action in the matter.

It was also reported that Achai went on a donation drive to secure funds to repair the damaged pipes and dam. - FMT