MIRI – Thousands of natives relocated by the construction of the Bakun Dam in the Belaga district have been putting up with unsafe infrastructure for 25 years since their move to the Sg Asap resettlement scheme.
Among the biggest problems they face is faulty electrical wiring, which has resulted in devastating fires that destroyed their homes.
Social activist Harry Wing, who is among those relocated to Sg Asap, told The Vibes today that the resettlement scheme needs urgent repairs and upgrades.
“It has been 25 years since we were forced out of our original longhouses in what is now the Bakun Dam reservoir and relocated to Sg Asap.
“During the relocation operations in 1998, the state and federal governments hurriedly built the Sg Asap resettlement scheme.
“Until today, the wiring has not been upgraded or replaced. And this causes short circuits, blackouts, and fires.
“Our wooden longhouses are also rotting away. In every election, whether state or national, politicians will promise to look into repairing and upgrading our houses and facilities but very little has been done.”
He added that the population has increased from 10,000 to 40,000 and the residents are in need of more land and better houses.
Yesterday, a fire swept through a large longhouse block at the Sg Asap resettlement scheme, leaving 80 natives homeless.
The fire that started around 3pm destroyed about 16 housing quarters built adjacent to each other in the longhouse called Uma Bakah. – The Vibes, January 6, 2023
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