MIRI: Ensuring basic needs and improving living quality in rural areas is possible through community work said Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau.
In stressing this, he said such was exemplified by the success of the gravity feed water system programme in several areas in the constituency.
“Since 2019, we have completed these programmes at Kpg Long Puak, Uma Akeh, SK St Pius, Long Sayan, Long Latei, Long Watt and most recently in Long Suling here.
“After this, we are looking to implement a similar initiative at Kpg Naha’a and Long Apu,” he said when officiating at the programme at Long Suling on Tuesday (Mar 26), the longhouse which is a five-hour drive from Miri.
Dennis said the programme not only involved pipe installation from water reservoir to the houses but also provided various activities for the villagers and volunteers from Malaysia Humanitarian Movement Association (MyHumanitarian).
“Most of the volunteers who came from Peninsular Malaysia have never stepped foot in an Orang Ulu longhouse, let alone stay in the longhouse for days.
“It is my hope that with the programme, it highlights the importance of gotong-royong and its benefits particularly for a community residing in a rural area,” he said.
The assemblyman said for the Long Suling water supply programme, a sum of RM920,031 was allocated by the state government which benefitted the residents in the 120-door longhouse.
The project involved the installation of 4.5km water pipe which its method was supported by the residents themselves.
“This is to complement the efforts of the state government to provide basic amenities to the people while waiting for the implementation of a water treatment plant which will take time,” he said.
At the same time, Dennis expressed his commitment to bringing infrastructure development to the residents in Telang Usan.
“This programme is an example of that. I will not rest on my laurels and will work to bring in development by all means including through gotong-royong,” he said.
He also advised the younger generation in Long Suling to be actively involved in community programmes for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, Long Suling village safety and development committee (JKKK) chairman Ding Lah in his speech thanked Dennis for choosing Long Suling for the programme.
He expressed gratitude towards the volunteers who helped with the programme and lauded their commitment to assist in the installation of the water system.
MyHumanitarian president Khairul Annuar Mansor who also spoke at the event thanked the state government for providing the organisation the opportunity to the serve the people of Telang Usan.
He commended Dennis’ commitment to providing clean water to the community at seven longhouses in the constituency since 2019.
“MyHumanitarian will continue to assist in bringing clean water to the longhouses as much as we can,” he said.
For the record, the water supply programme was initiated by Dennis with the cooperation and support by the state government, Miri Resident office, Telang Usan district office, MyHumanitarian, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Miri Forest Department and Long Suling JKKK.
The two-month programme at Long Suling involved 45 volunteers from throughout the country.
