KUALA PILAH, Malaysia: Some of them attend classes without taking a bath. Some wear the same clothes for several days.
This is the lot of trainee nurses at the Kuala Pilah Nursing Community Training Centre which has been hit by water cuts since last month.

When the taps run dry, their only source of water is a state Water Supply Department (JBANS) tanker which does not come at specific times. The other alternative is the public toilet at the Ulu Bendol Recreational Forest, about 30km away.

According to one of the trainees, Nur Ashikin Abdul Nasir, 20, they faced water cuts up to twice a day and the water from the tanker is not enough for the 105 trainees at the centre.

"We have been facing this problem since December and it has affected our daily routine.
"We cannot use the toilets, do our laundry or even perform our prayers properly."

Another trainee, Amy Sahida Rahim, 21, said she felt embarrassed attending classes as she was forced to wear the same clothes for several days.

"I have no choice as there is barely enough water for us to use the toilet or to shower."

Chief nurse and warden Moraini Alias said they had contacted the JBANS and were told that the problem was because of a broken water pump.

"However, this was some time ago.

"I hope the authorities will get to the root of the problem soon as it is ridiculous that we have to live in such conditions," she said.

A JBANS spokesman said they were aware of the problem and would fix it.

"There are some major problems but we will resolve them soon," he said. -- The New Straits Times / Asia News Network