THE RM12mil allocation under the 2030 State Budget for replacement of battery and key components for standalone solar system is timely, says Dennis Ngau.
The GPS-Telang Usan assemblyman stated that this was because solar systems at various longhouses had shown some signs that they needed to be replaced soon.
He requested that the state government look into increasing the allocated power to each home, currently at 3,000 watts, to at least 4,000 watts per 12 hours.
“I have received many requests from longhouse chiefs and village security and development committees (JKKK) for the state government to look into this as the current allocation is insufficient to meet needs.
“Therefore, the amount allocated in the 2030 State Budget should be used to purchase and install a more powerful and reliable battery. There are also many requests from new house owners or families for power to be connected to their homes.”
Dennis said this during a debate in support of the Supply Bill (2023) and motion to refer the Resolution of the Development Expenditure Budget for 2023 on the fifth day of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) session on Friday (Nov 25).
He expressed hopes for the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) sub-station at Bunut, Lapok to be completed soon to enable Long Lama town, Long Laput, Sungai Dua, Long Banyok, Long Puak, Uma Akeh, Long Batan, Long Luyang, Long Aya and Apau Gon to be connected with power or reliable power soonest.
“Some parts of Marudi are also waiting. Residents at Long Lama town are also always experiencing water interruptions. As such, I urged the relevant authority to look into this problem.”
At the same time, he requested the state government to build a multipurpose hall in Long Lama to be used as a temporary shelter to house natural disaster victims.
Currently, flood victims are housed at the Long Lama surau as Dewan Masyarakat Long Lama is still temporarily used by Klinik Long Lama.
The clinic was damaged in a landslide in 2019 and still has not been repaired while the Dewan Masyarakat is also affected when Long Lama town is hit by floodwaters.
