GUA MUSANG, Aug 7 — The Orang Asli community at Pos Tohoi and Pos Pulat in Kelantan, are hopeful that the Nenggiri Hydroelectric project will provide them with many benefits, especially better roads and more job opportunities.
Pos Tohoi Orang Asli Village Security Development Committee chairman, Ajeh Baharom, 50, said the settlement’s approximately 1,000 residents of the Temiar tribe have been aware of the project and have been anticipating a relocation exercise for the past 10 years.
He said the residents were promised a new settlement and looked forward to better facilities at the new location.
“The 237 families in the villages have known about the project for a long time and have been waiting for 12 years. We trust this matter will be implemented smoothly and completed on schedule.
“And we hope the facilities at the new settlement will be better than those available in Pos Tohoi, with better roads for example,” he said.
Resident Jenny Adik, 35, said he expected for the promises made to be fulfilled, as was agreed earlier, and that their housing would be ready as well.
“Hopefully there will be more job opportunities for Orang Asli youth in the new place because it is very limited here. Many young people leave to seek employment outside.”
Meanwhile, Ab Aziz Yusoff, the Nenggiri state seat incumbent, who is also the Barisan Nasional candidate in the state election on Aug 12, said the hydroelectric dam project could be a catalyst for economic development in the the area and enhance the economy of the Orang Asli community involved.
“We hope that in addition to employment opportunities, there will be a town developed in the area when the Nenggiri dam is completed.”
The RM5 billion Nenggiri Hydroelectric project is expected to be completed in 2026 and comprises a 53.84 sq km main reservoir lake and a 0.97 sq km flow regulation pool.
— Bernama
