Sapiah Nor, director-general of the Orang Asli development department, has denied claims that the problem was caused by the department’s failure to maintain the provided water treatment system.

She said water supply systems were installed at as many as 109 Orang Asli villages in Gua Musang, while three villages use tap water systems, 16 use tube or bored wells, and 90 use gravity-fed water systems.

“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, a total of RM25 million has been allocated for new construction work and repairs to water treatment systems, while RM5 million has been spent on maintenance contracts.

“The issue is caused by limited or polluted water sources. This problem does not only happen in Orang Asli villages but also in Malay communities and nearby villages,” she said in a statement today.

Sapiah said water pollution in Sungai Kelantan, as well as uncontrolled logging and plantation activities had reduced the number of catchment areas for channelling water.

However, the department strives to provide other alternative sources of water for the Orang Asli community by boring wells, in collaboration with related agencies such as the minerals and geoscience department and local universities.

The water supply issue was raised by Annuar Musa, the Perikatan Nasional operations director for the Nenggiri by-election, who denied that the PN-run state government is to blame for the water problem.

He claimed that allocations for the provision of clean water have been channelled through the Orang Asli development department.