Ministry responds to villager’s claim of being denied power

KUCHING: The Ministry of Utilities is aware of the case involving a Kampung Sabir resident in upper Padawan who is still without electricity supply although the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) project for the village has already been completed.

“The RES application is done through the village security and development committee (JKKK),” said a press statement from the ministry issued yesterday in response to a report in The Borneo Post on Aug 15 headlined ‘ PKR supporter claims being denied of power connection’. For areas where the projects for electricity supply are undertaken under RES, applicants are generally required to submit the duly completed form under this scheme through the JKKK or community leaders.

“For this particular case, the ministry is aware of the matter and will work with the relevant parties to address supply connection. The applicant is kindly requested to submit the form directly to the ministry for us to expedite the resolution of the matter. Any issues between the complainant and the JKKK are outside the jurisdiction of the ministry,” the statement added.

“It is the state’s aim through the Ministry of Utilities to achieve full electrification by 2025 or earlier, so that all Sarawakians including those in rural areas are able to enjoy 24-hour electricity supply,” it said.