Fifth time's the charm? Bidor Orang Asli get another water-supply project

GE15 | The head of Kampung Orang Asli Chang Lama in Bidor, Dahil Yok Chopil, said the first water-supply project for the village commenced in 1986, but their water woes remain unresolved.

The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) recently allocated RM400,000 for a project to supply treated water to Kampung Chang Lama, Bidor.

However, the Orang Asli residents there are worried if it would work as it is not the first time such a project was implemented.

In fact, they said, there have been four other projects, including the first in 1986, before the latest but water-supply issues in the village of 180 Semai Orang Asli remain unsolved.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, tok batin (village head) Dahil Yok Chopil, 65, said he hoped the project this time would really put an end to the village’s water woes, which villagers have been facing since 1986.

“In 2008, they implemented a new project with new pipes being built.

“In 2012, the 1986 project was restored by replacing the old pipe with a new one of a larger size because the water pressure was not enough to reach the village.

“In 2014, there was another new project. This time they said the village would receive treated water supply. But, until now the water issue has not been resolved.

“The current project is the fifth time, it was only started after the dissolution of Parliament. I hope, this time, it will be beneficial,” Dahil said.

He said this when asked to comment on Jakoa Perak director-general Harulnizam Abd Rahman’s statement that the treated water supply project is an effort to solve the village’s water problem.

Previously, Harulnizam, together with outgoing Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohamad told the media that the village’s water problem will be resolved before the end of this year.

According to him, construction is underway at a cost of RM400,000.

However, Dahil is sceptical due to past experiences.

“Although the project is ongoing, this issue has been around for a long time, since 1986, meaning this water problem has not been resolved for how many decades now?

“They do various things, but what I feel is that there is no more research on the water issue. They issue allocations just for the water to reach the village or until they don’t care, the important thing is that the project is carried out.

“If the high-cost project is really beneficial, I hope this time the water reaches the house. Until then, I cannot say that there is no water problem… as long as the piped water does not reach our houses, the water problem will remain,” he said.

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