Sorot Benuk folk want their village gazetted

KUCHI NG: Re sident s o f Kampung Sorot B enuk in Padawan want their vi l lage gazetted so that they can have an officially appointed headman and be eligible for government allocations under minor rural projects to build infrastructure and facilities in the village.

The village is traditionally a part of Kampung Segu Bunuk, which shares a communal boundary with Simpok and Jambu in Padawan.

The Sarawak government opened up a rubber- planting scheme in the vil lage ( Sorot Benuk) six years ago, drawing many people from Kampung Segu Bunuk to move there.

According to Julis Nebir Ponet, who is a member of the village’s Security and Development Committee ( JKKK), about 60 families ( households) or about 300 people have now called Sorot Benuk home.

Julis added they had submitted an application to have their village gazetted three years ago to Padawan sub- district office in Bayur, but have yet to receive approval from the government.

“We really need our village to be gazetted so that we can ask for funds to build a community hall, a church, a football field and an internet centre,” he said.

Nevertheless, the villagers are happy as they are going to enjoy 24- hour electricity supply since Sesco has just completed domestic wiring in the village.

As for treated water supply, the villagers are still relying on gravity- feed water supply. They are stil l in the process of applying for treated water supply.

Julis said this when receiving a RM3,000- grant from Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen.