Poor villagers in Langkawi mull over who will be the best caretaker

Langkawi is a Barisan Nasional stronghold and has never fallen into the hands of the opposition, but three-cornered fight is expected between BN, Islamist party PAS, and four-party opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan, led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The village is poverty-striken and neglected. Electricity is wired to homes through overloaded power strips and tangled extension cords, and heaps of empty water bottles and food waste clog the coastline. Blue BN flags and red PPBM flags at the entra
Blue BN flags and red PPBM flags at the entrance of Kampung Bukit Malut in Langkawi. Dr Mahathir has urged the BN stronghold to switch sides, pointing to a fire three years ago, the victims of which are still living in tents. Meanwhile, the government has given the fire victims money, as well as allocated a budget for the village to build a mosque and electricity and water supply. ST PHOTOS: ARLINA ARSHAD
The village is poverty-striken and neglected. Electricity is wired to homes through overloaded power strips and tangled extension cords, and heaps of empty water bottles and food waste clog the coastline. Blue BN flags and red PPBM flags at the entra
The village is poverty-striken and neglected. Electricity is wired to homes through overloaded power strips and tangled extension cords, and heaps of empty water bottles and food waste clog the coastline.
Arlina Arshad
Regional Correspondent
Updated
Apr 03, 2018, 11:03 AM
Published
Mar 28, 2018, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

With its haphazard maze of shabby houses and broken roads, Kampung Bukit Malut in Langkawi stands in stark contrast to the island's pristine beaches and calm blue sea.

Water flows weakly from taps and electricity is wired to homes through tangled extension cords.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 28, 2018, with the headline Poor villagers in Langkawi mull over who will be the best caretaker. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top