The Village at the Bottom of Tasik Temenggor, Gerik
For those who experienced their hometown being submerged, the memory is unforgettable. Such was the fate of the original residents of Kampung Temenggor, located in the north of Gerik, Perak.
The story of their submerged settlement dates back to around 1976, leaving 1,001 stories etched on the faces of the victims who moved to a new settlement. Everything began when the National Electricity Board (LLN), now known as Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), started building a hydroelectric dam in the area, known as the Temenggor Dam. The construction project of the Temenggor Dam was crucial as it was capable of contributing 348 megawatts of installed capacity and generating an average of 900 million units of energy annually. The implementation of the Temenggor Dam construction project began in 1973 and took five years to complete, in 1978. The total cost of the dam construction project was approximately RM340 million. It was this dam construction that caused the tragedy where Kampung Temenggor was completely submerged. Thus, in 1976, Kampung Temenggor was buried under Tasik Temenggor, including its wooden houses with thatched roofs, mosques, schools, paddy fields, orchards, and rubber plantations. With the submergence of Kampung Temenggor, it marked the end of an era for the community that had lived on the riverbanks for an estimated 300 years.
The residents, who were the victims in Kampung Temenggor, were forced to relocate to save themselves. The relocation process involved approximately 124 families consisting of 625 residents from Kampung Temenggor. For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Kampung Temenggor consisted of several villages, namely Kampung Panggas, Kampung Bukit, Kampung Mingkong, and Kampung Kertei. The relocation process for the original residents of Kampung Temenggor began early on the morning of June 24, 1976. Three Nuri helicopters took off from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) base in Kuantan, heading to Ayer Ganda in Gerik to carry out 'Ops Pindah' (Operation Relocation). The mission was led by Lt (U) Azmi Ibrahim along with his crew. The mission to relocate the victims from the submerged Kampung Temenggor was successfully carried out by Lt (U) Azmi Ibrahim and his team. All three Nuri helicopters returned and arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) base in Kuantan at dusk, after everyone was safe and 'Ops Pindah' was completed. Congratulations to all those involved in the 'Ops Pindah' operation.
The National Electricity Board (LLN), now known as Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), with a deep sense of responsibility, provided a new settlement through the Perak state government for all the displaced residents of Kampung Temenggor. They provided basic amenities such as roads, water, electricity, a mosque, a school, a village clinic, a community hall, and much more, as promised before the relocation took place. The government provided a new settlement site for them, measuring 0.5 acres, along with 10 acres of rubber plantation and 2 acres of orchard for every head of household relocated, without charging a single cent.
The late Sultan Idris II (the 33rd Sultan of Perak)
who held the throne at that time, declared the new settlement as Kampung Ganda Temenggor, named after a river called Sungai Ganda.
The late Sultan Idris II (the 33rd Sultan of Perak)
officiated Kampung Ganda Temenggor in August 1976. With the help and concern of many parties, the unfortunate fate of those who remembered Kampung Temenggor, their original village, was well taken care of.
