Batang Ai | Keeping up the surge ...

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3. Mussen’s shyness is confirmed

PRS secretary general Wilfred Nissom said that Malcolm Mussen, the PRS candidate for Batang Ai by-election was “smart” and carried with him years of experience in agriculture and that he would let action do the talking.

He said his shyness should not be interpreted as being lazy because Mussen “walks the talk”.

Most of our Dayak YBs are shy and when you are shy you are “malu” to ask something from anyone, in their case, from the government. Does it mean anything to you that most of the Dayak constituencies are lacking in development as compared to Malay or Chinese constituencies? So if the shy Mussen is elected, do we expect much from him as YB? Think about it.

4. Denial No. 1: Never promised free water

The government has never promised that it will give free electricity and treated water supply to those relocated by the Batang Ai or the Bakun hydro dam projects in the State. The settlers will have to pay their monthly bills, deputy minister of science, technology and innovation, Fadillah Yusof said.

He was asked to comment on the perception by some settlers the government had failed to honour its promise of free water and power supply to them when they were relocated to make way for the dam 25 years ago.

Some 3,000 people from 26 longhouses were relocated before 1982 when the dam was constructed and completed three years later.

Water and electricity have become hot issues in the Batang Ai by-election as many of the relocated longhouses have for the past 26 years drinking “dirty water” and using kerosene lamps to light their houses.

The government’s failure to help the relocated people is coming back to haunt them during this by-election.

7. Anwar’s campaigns in Lubok Antu

The Police refused to give a permit for Anwar Ibrahim to address the people at an open space in Lubok Antu. Instead he addressed about 300 to 400 people at Kampung Kutai last night.

Soon after arrival, he went to Nanga Kesit and addressed the people there. Today he will visit Bertih on the way back to Kuching and Kuala Lumpur.

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