Electricity no longer a dream for longhouse folk

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Michael (left) with other longhouse folk at the dam that they built.

Michael (left) with other longhouse folk at the dam that they built.

When folk at Rumah Michael Jantan in Nanga Bekatan, Ulu Kanowit, Julau were told about the possibility of enjoying 24-hour electricity supply in September 2013, they were elated.

The project was called Micro Hydro Dam – a community-based project under iM Sarawak. Agreeing to be part of the project, they started their backbreaking task in October that year, led by Tuai Rumah Michael Jantan himself. The residents knew that in order for the project to come to fruition, much work on their part had to be done.

It took them 30 minutes every day to navigate the thick jungle, crossing streams, and climbing hills, all while carrying hundreds of bags of cement, sand and rocks to the construction site to build their very own source of electricity.

They worked from the break of dawn, only leaving for home just before dusk. Sometimes they had to work late into the night to make sure that the project could be completed on time.

“The construction materials were transported to the longhouse by longboat from Nanga Entabai Jetty; 15 bags of cements for each trip. All of us had to carry the materials to the construction site on foot as there is no other way,” Michael said.

About 60 longhouse folks including children worked tirelessly as a communal workforce to ensure the project was a success.

“All of us were very excited and passionate about the project and what is even more rewarding is that we get to see the fruits of our labour firsthand,” he told reporters during a visit to the project site led by a team from iM Sarawak recently. That way, the folks had a sense of ownership towards the project, he added.

The women of Rumah Michael Jantan enjoy the luxury of television now that they have electricity.

The women of Rumah Michael Jantan enjoy the luxury of television now that they have electricity.

The longhouse folks did their work without any complaints and even the rain did not stop them from working. Their teamwork enabled the project to come to fruition in just about a month.

In December that year, Julau MP Joseph Salang lit a Christmas tree to launch the use of the Micro Hydro Dam for the first time in Rumah Michael Jantan.

“That day was the beginning of an easier life for us. Everyone in this longhouse now enjoys 24-hour electricity free of charge,” he enthused.

The micro dam was built to generate 10 kilowatts that would be able to support basic electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, lights, fans, televisions, radios, laptops and so forth. With the electricity, he said folks were beginning to buy electrical appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators.

“For decades, we could not store our groceries. At the most, we could only have a three-day supply. Now, we can buy more such as meat and vegetables without worrying that they would spoil,” he pointed out.

The dam did not just create an easier life; it had a positive impact on the children’s education. He said that before, they had used kerosene lamps to provide light for the children to do their homework at night.

“We can see lots of improvement in their studies. Last time, most of them used to get Cs or Ds. Now they are earning As and Bs,” he said. Most of the longhouse folks are small-scale pepper farm farmers with farms located just behind their longhouses.

During that month when the men went to work on the dam, the women cooked meals for the family and the workers and some even helped their husbands to tend to their farm. They did it without neglecting their daily house chores.

“The women sacrificed a lot actually; they need to wash the clothes, clean the house and all that. By the time we arrive home, all of us were very tired already, but the women, immediately upon reaching home, they cooked for us,” Michael said. Such was the case for Collin Musang, 42, who has over 1,000 trees of peppers in his farm.

“I could not work on the farm and the dam at the same time. I am thankful that my wife helped me to look after the farm,” he said. Collin used to work with Sibu Water Board installing pipes.

“For the dam project, apart from helping to construct the dam, I was the one who installed the pipes,” he said.

Asked how it felt to be involved in the project, he said it was fun.

“At first, they (residents) did not understand why we had to do it. But when we explained the project, all of us worked full tilt to ensure that the project would be a success,” he recalled.

With the electricity, Rumah Michael Jantan saved almost RM50,000 every year on diesel expenses. They now use that money for repairs and upgrading works. For the maintenance of the dam, they would only have to buy grease for the bearings. However, it could not be denied that there were limitations to the project, especially during the dry season.

“During droughts, we have to limit the usage. Nevertheless, it is a good project.  Apart from occasional droughts, all of us can enjoy 24-hour electricity,” Michael said.

Apart from greasing the bearings, the longhouse folks would clean the dam once every three months. The longhouse was not the only one that benefited from the project, as iM Sarawak is undertaking 10 more micro hydro projects throughout Sarawak and five projects including the one at Rumah Michael Jantan have been completed so far.

Other completed dams include Rumah Nyayang, Rumah Lugom, Rumah Suing Ensan in Julau and Long Telingan in Lawas.

The ongoing projects are in Rumah Kedit (Meluan), Long Urun (Belaga), Long Semadoh (Lawas), Buduk Bui (Lawas) and Rumah Unyat Chupong (Kapit). With the completion of their dam, residents are also helping to build dams at nearby longhouses as well.

“We have the experience and we have the skills, so we decided to help other longhouses to build their dams,” Michael added. They include Rumah Nyayang and Ulu Ensiring in Julau.

“I can say that our lives have changed completely. There are a lot of conveniences now,” said Tuai Rumah Nyayang Angie, 84.

He said the longhouse kept three generators, but it would only be used during emergencies such as the dry season where the longhouse might not get enough electricity from the dam. Just like folks of Rumah Michael Jantan, they were also very excited about the project, with many working in town making the trip back to help finish the project.

“The children came to help too. My six-year-old grandchild also came to help. Of course, he helped with small stuff,” he recalled fondly. The micro hydro dam was built to generate eight kilowatts and benefited about 100 people from Rumah Nyayang. Nyayang said he was happy with the project and thanked iM Sarawak for such a great opportunity.

“I would like to urge other longhouse folks who are still working on their projects to not give up. Persevere until it is completed and I can assure you that it will be worthwhile,” he said.

A micro hydro dam is a ‘run-of-river’ system where flowing water is used to power the generator to produce electricity. It has relatively little impact on the surrounding ecology, as water will be diverted back into the river. The system is expected to last at least 15 years.

Longhouse folk work together to install a diversion pipe in October, 2013.

Longhouse folk work together to install a diversion pipe in October, 2013.

About iM Sarawak

iM Sarawak is a social development initiative led by the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council (1MSAC) to help improve the quality of life of various communities throughout the state.

It is designed to bring long-term sustainable benefits to the people focusing primarily on improving quality of life, education and sports. The 1MSAC was formed by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to advise him on the needs of the communities in Sarawak.

It is chaired by Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum. Other members include Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah, Mas Gading MP Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, former Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo and Irwan Zulkarnain Muhammad Hasbie. 1MSAC gathers input from the people and various government agencies to identify and propose projects under the iM Sarawak banner.

The iM Sarawak projects are community-based projects carried out by public and private organisations which include Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M), Yayasan 1MDB, the Sarawak State Education Department, Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd, the Minerals and Geosciences Department, Sarawak, the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, the Rotary Club, My Kasih Foundation, the Ceria Group and local individuals who contribute time and expertise towards the projects.

The construction of the dam took about a month.

The construction of the dam took about a month.