66 families in Bau to benefit from first phase of Alaf
BAU: A total of 66 families from nine villages in Bau district will benefit from the first phase of Additional Late Applicant Funds (Alaf) to get electricity connected to their homes.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep said funding for this initiative has been approved by the state government and it will be implemented by Ministry of Utilities through Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).
He revealed the families selected for the first phase are from Kpg Melayu Bau, Kpg Skiat Baru, Taiton/ Lubang Angin, Kpg Suba Buan, Kpg Segobang, Kpg Podam, Kpg Merembeh, Bau Lama and Kpg Siniawan Baru.
“On behalf of Bau district, we want to say a a big thank you to the state government for stepping in via Alaf, a new initiative by the Ministry of Utilities through SEB to help the eligible home owners to get the power connected to their homes.
“We also thank SEB for their fast action this time around. In some cases, there are applicants from the district who have been waiting for three years and some even up to seven years for the electricity to be connected to their home.
“During the last meeting, there were about 1,800 applicants who were still waiting for the power to be connected to their homes in Bau district. With 66 of them already being approved, it is our hope that the number (of applicants waiting) will be further reduced in months to come,” he said.
According to Henry, the applicants are not only from his constituency but also other state constituencies in Bau district, namely Batu Kitang, Serembu and Opar.
He also expressed his appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the allocation of RM2.37 billion to accelerate rural electrification throughout Sarawak including in Bau district.
“The Chief Minister had previously announced the allocation for the implementation (of rural electrification in the state) and this includes connections to homes of the applicants through Alaf,” he said.
Abang Johari in an announcement made in November 2018 had said the state government was setting aside RM2.37 billion special allocation to increase electricity coverage from 91 per cent to 97 per cent in Sarawak.