Blackout dashes tourism hopes
Published on: Saturday, June 27, 2020
By: Larry Ralon
The BBV and SBV management, investors and workers lighting up candles in asking for assistance.
Kota Kinabalu: The hopes of operators of villa beach resorts in Karambunai to welcome local tourists since the Government allowed hotels and resorts to resume business following relaxation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) have been dashed due to non-availability of electricity.Borneo Beach Villas (BBV) Resort Manager, Manjulah Periasamy, said both BBV and Sabah Beach Villas (SBV), are affected and do not know who should be held responsible for the situation.ADVERTISEMENT
She said power supply to both BBV and SBV was interrupted at 1.25pm on June 21. It has been six days now. As a result, the two resorts were unable to do business and are suffering miserably,” she said.
She said after power supply was interrupted on June 21, they contacted Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and supply to the area was restored at 2.50pm the same day following emergency repairs.
The villa resorts in Karambunai.
“But power supply continued to be interrupted due to a problem with a relay station there which is managed by the Nexus Resort management,” she said. They then took up the matter with Nexus Resort, but there was no follow-up action. The Nexus Resort management was not immediately available for comment.
Due to the blackout, food in their restaurant’s kitchen had gone to waste and it was unable to accommodate guests, resulting in them suffering huge losses.ADVERTISEMENT
She said there were about 100 guests coming to stay at BBV, and another about 60 at SBV on Saturday but cannot receive them unless electricity supply is restored.
“I do not know how to explain to the guests!” said Manjulah. Their biggest problem is not knowing when power supply can be restored?
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“At the same time, no one cares! I hope the relevant authorities can help us solve this problem soon as possible,” she said.
She said the villagers living nearby have electricity, but not the villas.
“The Government has gradually opened up during this recovery period. If our guests can come and stay at the resorts, our workers would be able to resume work. But now we are facing this electricity problem, workers have no work, and we have no income."
The tourists who come to the resort today are locals who come to enjoy the weekend holiday, said Manjulah.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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“No one seems responsible for the problem, so we do not know where to go.
“I hope the Chief Minister, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Local Government and Housing Minister can assist us to solve the problem as soon as possible,” said Manjulah.