Sarawak Energy Berhad has received 319 applications to provide electricity to settlement areas in Piasau.
Rural Electricity Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said this in response to Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew (GPS-Piasau) yesterday.
A total of 474 squatter families had resettled in these areas which covered various kampungs in Lutong to Tudan Desaras Senadin in Miri, he added.
“Piasau has been approved for connection under the Additional and Late Applicants Fund (ALAF) programme. Subject to the survey outcome, houses that can be connected will enjoy electricity supply by the end of 2019,” said Dr Abdul Rahman.
“However, we request cooperation from community leaders to assist in the identification (of the houses) and the applications so that we can provide the electricity in future.”
In response to Ting’s supplementary questions, Dr Abdul Rahman explained that the ALAF programme was an on-going event carried out by the Public Utilities Ministry.
It was initiated in 2016 to ensure that every house throughout the state would be provided with electricity.
“The ALAF fund covers connection from existing low-tension lines up to the meter point. The internal wiring within the premises should be borne by the applicants.
“However, Sarawak Energy provides the Assistance Wiring Scheme (AWS) scheme which the applicant can choose. This scheme provides an option for the applicants to pay the cost of wiring by instalment up to 36 months interest-free,” he said.
Dr Abdul Rahman said he had, on April 17, led a delegation to meet the residents of the related areas and explain the ALAF programme to them.
