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Julaihi speaking to reporters during a site visit to the Sebangan Acute System Construction project in Sebuyau on April 30, 2026.Advertisement
By Emily Ruran
SEBUYAU, April 30: Authorities have stepped up investigations after around seven million litres of water were found unaccounted for during night-time monitoring in the Kota Samarahan Division over the past few days.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, said daily treated water supply, which is expected to reach 45 million litres, dropped to about 38 million litres during checks conducted around 11pm.
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He said the discrepancy is unlikely to be caused by normal leakage alone, raising concerns of possible unauthorised extraction or diversion within the distribution network.
“We are checking where the seven million litres went. I am not accusing anybody, but we are taking this seriously.
“Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd and the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) are tracing the discrepancy, including whether water has been diverted along the system,” he told reporters during a site visit to the Sebangan Acute System Construction project today.
Julaihi said the anomaly was detected only within the past two to three days, with ongoing inspections covering the entire division, including Sebuyau.
He also noted that authorities are verifying whether any parties, including construction projects, may be drawing large volumes of water without proper registration.
“If they are using it, they must be registered so that it is accountable,” he said.
Julaihi added that treated water supplied by Sarawak Water to JBALB is priced at about 99 sen per cubic metre, stressing that any unregistered or unauthorised usage undermines the system intended for public supply.
He said overall water resources remain sufficient, but losses whether from pipe leaks or unauthorised consumption could impact supply pressure, particularly amid the current hot weather. — DayakDaily
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