MEDIA RELEASES

KUCHING
19 APRIL 2024

The Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunication is set to unveil its latest initiatives aimed at enhancing utilities across four key areas during the upcoming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session on May 6.

Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the initiatives include improving coverage of water supply, electricity, internet, and Petros gas cylinder distribution.

“The initiatives focus more on the performance carried out by the ministry through these four responsible agencies. These agencies have been working diligently to ensure that every utility that benefits the people of Sarawak can be implemented.

“At the upcoming DUN session, the ministry’s focus will also be on the winding-up speeches, especially the speech to be delivered by Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi,” he said.

He said this after hosting a Hari Raya open house attended by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang here last night (Apr 18).

On electricity coverage, Abdul Rahman said Sarawak Energy Berhad has short-, medium- and long-term plans to achieve 100 per cent electricity coverage by 2050.

However, in terms of water supply, he said the challenges in achieving 100 per cent clean water by 2030 lies in supplying water to rural parts of Sarawak.

“In response, we launched the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply Programme (SAWAS) in 2017. This initiative addresses remote areas distant from main water pipelines by establishing a dedicated water supply system.

“With this system, we source water from rivers, rain catchments, or gravity sources, process it, and supply it to these villages, hence eliminating them having to wait for water from the main grid,” he said.

On the proposed Integrated Management Office (IMO) that seeks to consolidate all major water agencies throughout Sarawak, namely Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and LAKU Management Sdn Bhd (LAKU), Abdul Rahman said further discussions will be held after the festive season.

“It will be discussed after Hari Raya and will be further explained by Julaihi during the upcoming DUN session.

“Our hope is that with the involvement of these four water agencies, we can ensure that every household in Sarawak gets the supply by the 2030 target,” he added.

Source: New Sarawak Tribune: https://www.newsarawaktribune....