KUALA LUMPUR: The Rural Water Supply (BALB) programme in the Orang Asli Areas (KOA) in Pahang has incurred RM29.23 million in losses when its 15 water treatment projects failed to operate and add value to the community.
The matter was raised in the Auditor-General’s 2017 Series 2 Report released today, based on the physical inspection carried out from January to March 2018 at 27 KOAs in the state.
The report said that limited water sources and failure to appoint maintenance contractors had been identified among the causes behind the projects’ failure.
“This has led to the pump houses being abandoned, while equipment such as battery for generators and air compressors went missing,“ the report said.
Among KOA areas identified were Ulu Kenip, Belida Baru, Sg Mas, Lubuk Perah, Kuala Boh, Sg Loon, Menson and Pathir where the residents were forced to use open wells and rain water for their daily use.
The BALB programme was carried out under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) previously known as the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, aimed at providing supply of clean water so that the health and quality of life in the rural areas could be enhanced with the target of 90% coverage by 2020.
The report also pointed out a review was necessary pertaining to the overlapping roles between BALB and Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation unit (Bakas) implemented by the Health Ministry (MoH).
It also recommended that thorough study should be carried out by KPLB and Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) to ensure that the best system would be implemented to benefit the target group, in line with the objectives set. — Bernama
