GUA MUSANG: Over 300 Orang Asli families at Pos Tohoi here have agreed to move to the new village proposed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to make way for the construction of a mini hydro power plant.
Pos Tohoi Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committee (JKKKOA) chairman, Zainal Cali said the agreement was reached between the residents of Pos Tohol and the management of TNB following discussions recently.
“The move to the new village will be done as soon as the construction of houses including roads is ready, electricity and clean water supplies are completed so that we can live there comfortably,” he said when met at Pos Tohoi here today.
Zainal said residents had previously objected to the proposed construction of the project at the Perias River, Pos Tohoi as it would lead to many problems especially exposure to floods and pollution of water supply.
“After we received an explanation on the matter from TNB, we all agreed to move to a new village located on a nearby hill which is safer,” he said.
Zainal said the village where the Orang Asli were staying at currently was opened by their ancestors many years ago.
He said JKKKOA would always monitor the implementation of the project so that it would not affect the income and safety of the people in the area.
Meanwhile, Nenggiri State Assembly Constituency Coordinator Ab Aziz Yusof said the construction of the project had long been proposed by TNB for the benefit of the Orang Asli and other surrounding residents.
He said the Orang Asli residents in the project area should cooperate on the basis of the agreement signed by both parties. BERNAMA