Kampung Chuweh baru lights up, thanks to MBAM

GERIK: Life has brightened up for Orang Asli residents of Kampung Chuweh Baru when 20 homes of the 27 Orang Asli families are supplied with electricity thanks to the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) via its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme last week.
"At night, we used to just sit at home, not being able to do anything because the entire village would be in darkness, we only lighted candles," said a villager, Abeng Patung.
Abeng, 81, was one of 143 Orang Asli residents of the Jahai tribe from the Tasik Temenggor Orang Asli Village, who was forced to live in darkness after the community's resettlement programme to Kampung Chuweh Baru which was opened two years ago.
Abeng said residents in the village needed to complete all their chores before dusk as the village seemed to be 'dead' at night due to no electricity.
"At night, everyone went to bed early ... the village is quiet. If you want to bathe, eat or go to a neighbour's house, we need to do so in the daylight as the village is thrown into darkness at night and there is fear of encountering wild animals," he said.
Village head of Tasik Temenggor Orang Asli Village, Kawah Carang said he was grateful and thankful to MBAM for helping the people get electricity.
"They (MBAM) came, dug underground cables from the jungle and installed lights in the houses … now we are no longer in the dark," he told reporters in conjunction with MBAM's CSR Programme 2017 here.
Kawah said MBAM also installed pipes and donated two water tanks to the village.
"Before this we had no piped water and were using lake water. If you want to cook or drink, you have to go to the lake to get water and boil. Two months ago, we tried to spend RM20,000 to install pipes in each house.
"Thank God, we did it and MBAM gave us big tanks for water storage."
MBAM vice-president, Chung Soo Kiong said the programme which aimed at raising the standard of living of the community was among the CSR programmes conducted annually for the past three years.
"Although we had difficulty at first to bring the large water tanks from the bottom of the hill to the resident's houses but everything went smoothly due to teamwork.
"We also dug underground electric cables as far as 400m through the jungle around the lake. I'm satisfied if I can help the Orang Asli residents ... they really need help," he said.
Besides Kampung Chuweh Baru, MBAM also distributed two water tanks to Kampung Chuweh that can accommodate more than 1,000 gallons (3,785 litres) of water each, as well as provided fans, bookcases, stationery, clothes and toys for Kampung Tebang with an allocation of about RM150,000 raised with the support from our members.
Chung said MBAM would remain committed in implementing the CSR programme to help the less fortunate. — Bernama