Jepak rep seeks housing, water and road improvements

JEPAK assemblyman Iskandar Turkee has called on the Sarawak government to expedite affordable housing delivery in Jepak, Bintulu, including the allocation of completed homes and the implementation of the next phase of the Skim Pembesaran Kampung (SPK) Jelutong.

When debating the Supply (2027) Bill, 2026 during the State Legislative Assemby (DUN) Sitting on Wednesday (Oct 14), he said rising property prices and limited housing availability in Bintulu had made it increasingly difficult for residents, particularly those from the B40 and M40 income groups, to own homes.

“I thanked Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for proposing a pilot affordable housing initiative for the M40 group in Jepak, saying the move would address the needs of young executives and middle-income households struggling to purchase their own homes.”

Beyond housing, Iskandar called for improvements to rural water supply, particularly in Samarakan, where he proposed constructing an elevated water tank equipped with a booster pump as a short-term measure to improve supply.

He said the nearby river was polluted and unsuitable for the proposed mini water treatment plant, making alternative solutions necessary to address the community’s water needs.

“I also welcomed the approval of a mini water treatment plant in Annau and elevated water tanks and booster pumps in Serupai and Kemana.”

On road connectivity, he sought updates on the upgrading of a 6.574km stretch from the Pan Borneo Highway junction to SK Kuala Annau under Phase One of the Tatau-Kuala Tatau road project.

He said better road access would improve connectivity between Tatau and Kuala Tatau, facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce and enable emergency services, including fire and rescue personnel and ambulances, to reach residents more quickly.

Iskandar also proposed a coastal erosion barrier and breakwater measuring about 3km from the mouth of Batang Kemena towards the proposed site of a new mosque near government housing under construction.

He said the proposed structure would help protect the Bintulu Integrated Administrative Centre, the new government housing area and the proposed mosque site from coastal erosion.

On education and skills development, he sought updates on several proposed schools and upgrading projects, including Yayasan Sarawak International School Jepak, SK Jepak Permai, SK Jepak Jaya, SMK Jepak Permai, SMK Jepak Jaya and SMK Agama Jepak, as well as improvements to dilapidated facilities at SK Selad and SK Setulan.

Meanwhile, Iskandar called for the construction of a more systematic fish market in Jepak to support local fishermen and traders.

He said the proposed facility could provide better fish landing and marketing infrastructure, improve cleanliness and waste management, and allow fishermen to sell their catch directly to consumers, potentially reducing reliance on middlemen.

He also urged the government to streamline the Bantuan Ehsan Kebakaran Rumah (BEKR) process, which provides RM70,000 for each house or housing unit destroyed by fire to help victims rebuild their homes.

He proposed that replacement homes should ideally be completed within six months, or within a year at the latest, to prevent rural fire victims, particularly longhouse and village residents, from enduring prolonged periods without permanent accommodation.

Iskandar said faster assistance and more efficient implementation of development projects were important to improving living conditions and ensuring that Jepak residents could benefit from the state’s continued development.