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Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi answers questions from the press during the event.
KUCHING (March 29): Water tankers are on standby across the state as part of the contingency measures to ensure continuous supply amidst the current hot and dry conditions.
According to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, the situation is being closely monitored as higher temperatures are expected to persist.
“Nevertheless, the water supply remains stable for now.
“We are fully prepared to deploy water tankers across Sarawak.
“There have been no reports of (supply) disruption, even during this festive season,” he said when met during the Hari Raya open house hosted at his residence on Sunday.
Julaihi said the tankers are operated by the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and Sarawak Water, with additional units also being rented.
He added that the Sarawak government had allocated nearly RM7 billion for around 360 water supply-related projects across the state, including the construction and upgrading of water treatment plants as well as pipe replacement works.
Julaihi (seated, left) and his wife Datin Seri Sadiah Buji being joined by their guests in a group photo. Seen at the back are Uggah (fourth left), Asfia on his right and Dr Abdul Rahman (seventh left). — Photo by Aliah Abdullah
“Of this amount, nearly RM5.9 billion is allocated for water treatment plants and the statewide grid system, with about 93 per cent of projects either having been completed or currently being implemented,” he said, adding that only around six per cent remained at the pre-implementation or pre-contract stage.
On infrastructure upgrades, Julaihi said RM1.1 billion had been allocated for pipe replacement works covering 2,740km across Sarawak, as part of efforts to reduce non-revenue water over a five-year period.
“Reducing non-revenue water is one of the key strategies to ensure that water supply would reach the consumers, alongside the construction of new water treatment plants and the upgrading of existing facilities,” he said.
According to him, the urban areas currently enjoy full water supply coverage, while the rural coverage stands at 71 per cent, bringing the state’s overall average to 85.6 per cent.
Among the dignitaries attending the Hari Raya open house were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, and Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
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