Residents of Akar Island and Panjang Island, Galang District, Batam, Riau Islands (Riau Islands), complain they have not felt electricity until now. Even for daily life, Galang residents rely on candles for lighting at night.
"Even though our residence is only 300 meters from the population around the Barelang II Bridge, our settlement is still pitch black at night," Samsudin said, Galang residents were met at Graha Kepri, Thursday (07/23/2020).
Samsudin admitted, he along with residents of Akar Island and Panjang Island had long craved electricity, but until now it had not yet been liberalized. As a result, the people's economy also died because they were not supported by electricity facilities from PLN. During this time, he continued, residents only rely on privately owned generators and are inadequate because they are often damaged.
"If it's damaged, use candles or kerosene lamps," Samsudin explained.
In addition to the economy, electricity is important for children's learning at Pulau Akar and Pulau Panjang at night. Because, all this time, they can only study during the day. While at night, the children of the two islands prefer fishing.
"If there is a generator, they can study at night until 21:00 WIB or 22:00 WIB. But if it is broken like this, they are fishing," Samsudin explained.
He said the residents of the two also sometimes felt denied. They are jealous and can only look at the glitter of the lights on the Barelang Bridge, while in their own dark place and even if the light is only relying on generators. Responding to this, the Plt Governor of the Riau Islands Isdianto promised to immediately visit the islands.
He will immediately bring the PLN down to the location to see the conditions firsthand.
"God willing, I will help as much as I can. If possible, why don't we fight for it. As a local child, of course I am very much called to help," said Isdianto.
Source: regional.kompas.com