SIBU: Chairman of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch Wong Ching Yong visited a longhouse, Rumah Anggau Minggat, at Sungai Pasai Siong Tengah last Saturday (July 4).
Situated about eight kilometres from the Mile 16, Jalan Oya, it is one of the most remote longhouses in Dudong constituency. It is linked to Jalan Oya by a narrow muddy road. A drive to the longhouse along the undulating and rather muddy road typically takes about 25 minutes.
Piped water and electricity supplies are still unavailable at Rumah Anggau. So last month, Wong wrote to the Ministry of Public Utilities highlighting the plight of the inhabitants.
During the visit, Tuai Rumah (TR) Anggau informed Wong that Sarawak Energy Sibu branch had carried out a site survey of the area a few days ago. He hoped that his longhouse could soon have electricity made available under the rural electricity supply scheme (RES).
TR Anggau also requested Wong to help apply for a loan for his people under the Ministry of Housing to construct a new longhouse.
Wong and his entourage then visited the proposed new site for the long, and after that he promised to write to the Minister of Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian for assistance.
As there is no piped water, the residents have been relying on rain water for cooking, washing and bathing because Sg Pasai Siong now is seriously polluted by a nearby poultry farm which is still dumping chicken carcasses into the water.
TR Anggau hoped that the Sarawak Veterinary Department would seriously look into their complaints about the matter.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) is also aware of the serious pollution problems faced by the longhouses in the neighbourhood as many of the headmen had discussed the issue with public health officials last February.
TR Anggau also hoped that the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) would urgently consider their application for piped water supply because during the dry season water shortage would become very acute.
