Nearly 1,000 residents of SFI plead for restoration of electricity and water supply.

KOTA KINABALU - Nearly 1,000 residents of the Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) housing area in Sipitang are pleading with the state government to restore electricity and water supplies that were cut off three months ago.

Former SFI employee and a representative of the residents in the housing area, Jeffridin Baudi, stated that he wishes to submit a memorandum to the state government requesting the restoration of electricity and water supplies.

"We have been without electricity and water for three months, imagine how our daily lives are without both of these supplies.

"There are about 674 households still residing in the SFI housing area and affected by this. On average, they are unable to afford relocating elsewhere.

"Additionally, three schools in the vicinity of SFI have also been affected, despite us, the former employees possessing a court order to prevent any eviction," he conveyed, during an interaction with journalists at the Menara Kinabalu courtyard, here, earlier today.

Expanding further, Jeffridin mentioned that the court order also involves the prohibition of any interference or encroachment on SFI land while the court proceedings related to the SFI takeover case are ongoing.

"However, massive logging is currently taking place on SFI land, depleting its timber assets which raises our concern that potential investors might be discouraged from investing in SFI.

"This is a concern for us as former employees, as the opportunity to regain employment there seems unlikely," he said.

As a result, Jeffridin hopes that the state government will listen to the voices of the residents in the SFI housing area regarding the restoration of electricity and water supplies and the need to adhere to the court order.

"We also request that Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, Chairman of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), to prioritize the reconnection of electricity at SFI.

"in addition, we appeal to the Sabah Forestry Department to conduct an on-site investigation into the alleged logging activities taking place in SFI.

"Similarly, we hope that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate promptly, as reports and evidence have already been submitted previously," he concluded.