PKR today called on the Sarawak state government to immediately issue land titles to 400 households from 20 longhouses that were resettled as a result of the construction of the Batang Ai hydro-electric dam in 1982.

nicholas bawin pkr candidate for batang ai state seat 270209 Each family was given some 10 acres of land when they were resettled, said Nicholas Bawin, chairperson of the PKR division in Lubok Antu in a statement.

Bawin said before they were relocated, the people were promised, among others, titles to their land, extra land to plant padi and other staples, three acres for rubber and one ‘dusun’ (orchard) lot.

They were also promised paved roads, adequate medical and educational facilities as well as protection of forest resources.

"It seems that after so many years the people of these resettlements continue to remain neglected. Most of these promises were never implemented satisfactorily, if at all," said Bawin.

"I therefore urge the authorities to institute the issuing of land titles to their lots forthwith, give them more land, alleviate poverty and build more medical facilities," he added.

The 400 families were resettled at Jela, Tutong, Ng Musing, Ng.Ukom, Engkaras, Bertik, Jengin, Ng. Bengap, Ng Mepi, Mepi Pasir, Mepi Nanga, Kaong Ulu, Kaon Ili, Sg Ara, Pudai, Sibau Rebah and Krangan Mong.

Need for a hospital

Bawin added that Batang Ai needed a hospital to cater for a population of 22,000 people and pointed currently there is not even a small hospital.

Bawin also called on the state government to stop the plunder of forests resources by companies through illegal logging especially in Ulu Lemanak and Ulu Engkari.

Either Bawin or Jawah Gerang may be the PKR candidate for the Batang Ai by-election to be held on April 7.