NEWS & UPDATE

MUKAH
23 FEBRUARY 2025

The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and Sarawak Energy have achieved another milestone in the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) grid extension efforts in Daro, Mukah. This initiative supports the Sarawak Government’s commitment to bridging the urban-rural divide and boosting socioeconomic opportunities by expanding the power grid and improving reliability.

Since its completion in March 2024, the RES Last Mile Phase 2 project in Batang Lassa has provided reliable and affordable electricity to 464 households across 16 villages.

During a working visit to Daro on 21 February, The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Sarawak, officiated the RES Last Mile Phase 3 grid extension project at Rumah Geruka, Batang Lassa 2. Also present were The Honourable Shafiee Ahmad, Daro assemblyman; Datu Kueh Li Poh, Mukah Resident; Nazry Abdul Latip, Sarawak Energy’s General Manager for Rural Electrification; Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab, MUT Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Electricity Supply; and community leaders.

Phase 3 in Batang Lassa 2 will supply electricity to 54 households across three villages, including 27 households at Rumah Geruka. Meanwhile, Phase 3 in Passin will extend supply to 186 households across eight villages by the second quarter of 2026, ensuring full electrification of Daro.

Replacing diesel generators with a 24/7 electricity supply supports Sarawak’s goal of achieving Net Zero emission by 2050.

“We have made great progress since 2009, increasing overall electricity coverage from 79% (56% in rural areas) to almost full coverage (99% in rural areas) by the end of 2024. This achievement is the result of close collaboration between MUT, Sarawak Energy, contractors and the local community, overcoming challenges such as rough terrain and swamps to lay the foundation for future development,” said Dato Sri Haji Julaihi.

Since 2019, the Sarawak Government has allocated RM2.4 billion under the ‘Projek Rakyat’ Programme to implement rural electrification initiatives across Sarawak. To date, 80% of the allocation has been executed by Sarawak Energy, with the remainder at various stages of implementation.

The implementation of this grid extension project is crucial in establishing the necessary infrastructure to support education, healthcare and socio-economic development. With access to reliable electricity, local communities will benefit from an improved quality of life and expanded opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Sarawak, The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi (fourth from left), during his working visit to Rumah Geruka in Daro, Mukah division.