KENINGAU:
About 3,000 residents from five villages in Apin-Apin area here have urged the Government to straighten the Pegalan River which is threatening to destroy their farms. The affected villages are Kampung Merampong, Tuhan Baru, Liau Laut, Kilambang and Tagai. A spokesman for the villagers, Jamree Mansiri, told The Borneo Post here yesterday that if the problem is not resolved immediately, more than 600 acres of paddy fields, 300 acres of rubber farms and 200 acres of other farm crops, including Government projects such as irrigation and house pumps, will be damaged and destroyed by flood waters. “The Pegalan River has changed its passage early this year following a big flood,” said Jamree who is the former Bingkor People Development Leader. He said the matter had been brought to the attention of the elected representatives since 2004 but until now no action has been taken. According to him, the relevant authorities here have also been informed but they said there was no allocation to straighten the river. if there is still no action from the elected representatives this area. the villagers will ask the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, to intervene. five villages had supported the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in Bingkor and Keningau during the March 8 general election. The villagers were hoping with their full support of both BN candidates, this problem could be immediately resolved,” he said. Jamree feared that if another flood happens again, thousand acres of Jamree said the residents of the land will be destroyed.
