Still mired in poverty – 52 years later
Ask Vasugi Singaram. She has lived in the village for more than 52 years and she never had access to even the most basic of amenities like electricity. She only gets intermittent supply of water.
By Patrick Lee, Free Malaysia Today
FMT FOCUS BUKIT BERUNTUNG: Time in Kampung Kandang Lembu, near here, seems to stand still. Step into the village, and life there is still mired in poverty.
Ask Vasugi Singaram. She has lived in the village for more than 52 years and she never had access to even the most basic of amenities like electricity. She only gets intermittent supply of water.
“I have raised the matter [to the government] since 1982, but to this day I have never been given any electricity,” said Vasugi, who has been forced to rely on coconut oil and candles for her lighting.
The only way in or out of Kampung Kandang Lembu is through a rusty bridge, located just behind the Taman Bukit Teratai housing estate.
Many of the houses in the village are abandoned and are in danger of collapse. Only three of them are occupied. It is a far cry from a nearby housing estate, which not only has regular access to water and electricity, but also satellite television.
As if to add insult to injury, two fire hydrants in the vicinity are open, pumping out a steady stream of water.
“There was a pipe installed here about a month ago, connected to a nearby river,” said Perumal
