Island resorts want 24-hour power supply

BESUT: About 60 resort and chalet operators in Pulau Perhentian have urged the federal government to resolve the powersupply problem on the island.

Pulau Perhentian Resort Operators and Tourism Association chairman Abdul Aziz Che Abdullah said for the past 20 years, the association had been requesting 24hour power supply in Pulau Perhentian.

“Tourists arriving in Pulau Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil are shocked to learn that there is no 24-hour power supply.

“This has affected the image of the islands as a renowned tourist destination,” he said on Saturday.

Aziz said resort operators had opted to use generator sets, but they were not environmentally friendly.

“With 24-hour power supply, the resort operators can carry out activities at night. We can open the resorts throughout the year to fulfil the requests of recreational anglers during the monsoon season.”

Currently, 24-hour power supply is provided to only 2,300 villagers living around Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

State Tourism, Culture and Digital Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said the state government had requested an allocation from the federal government through Tenaga Nasional Bhd to provide power supply to the island.

“Providing electricity supply to the resorts and chalets will cost about RM166 million as this involves undersea cables.

“The state government will continue to follow up with the federal government so that the power supply issue will be resolved soon.”