During a Gawai visit to the Iban villagers staying in Kampung Pasir, Kampung Pangkalan, and Kampung Api-api many villagers approached Dr. Teo for help in their plea to receive electricity and water for their houses. There are 800 houses and approximately 3000 villagers living in this area as 'squatters'.
The residents sought the help of Miri PKR leader, Dr. Michael Teo recently. The residents are upset after their appeals for a basic electricity and water supply have been rejected time and time again. After 40 years of disappointment, they have held protests in hopes of rallying support for their cause. They are currently using generators which are expensive and cumbersome to run; each house spending RM10 per night on fuel, for just 6 hours of electricity. In some homes where there is no generator supply, the school children find it difficult to study at night, resorting to using candle to finish their homework. The villagers do not want to be squatters, but cannot afford 'legal accomodation'. They only hope for cheaper housing in the Miri area, as there is currently no affordable housing available to them. The cheapest homes they could find were houses priced RM 130,000 and above.
"It is unjust that these residents be labeled as squatters, when no help has been offered to them for the past 40 years" said Dr. Teo.
Dr. Michael Teo attended the event and showed support during the protest. He and his legal team are bringing this issue to the authorities concerned.
The villagers have also invited Anwar Ibrahim to come and visit on the 24th June during his scheduled visit to Miri, for the PKR Gawai Celebration Dinner. The dinner is planned to be held at Eastwood Golf and Country club.
Dr. Michael Teo Yu Keng, Obstetrician And Gynaecologist, PKR Miri Division Chairman.
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