The Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JAKOA) refutes Tan Sri Annuar Musa’s claim that the water issue in Gua Musang, Kelantan, stems from JAKOA’s failure to maintain the Water Treatment System.
In a statement, JAKOA clarified that there are 109 Orang Asli villages in Gua Musang, Kelantan, with water supply systems: three piped water systems, 16 tubewells (groundwater), and 90 gravity-fed systems (from rivers).
During the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), RM25 million was allocated for new construction and repairs of water treatment systems, while RM5 million was spent on maintenance contracts.
The water supply challenge for Orang Asli villages arises from limited water sources, compounded by contamination. This issue isn’t unique to Orang Asli communities but affects the entire state of Kelantan.
JAKOA attributes this situation to insufficient rain catchment areas, resulting from uncontrolled logging and land clearing, as well as inadequate pollution control in the Kelantan River.
Nevertheless, JAKOA continues to explore alternative water sources for the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang, collaborating with relevant agencies such as the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG) and local universities to develop tubewells (groundwater sources)
Leave a comment