RM30.4 mln Samarindah tank project to boost water supply realiability in southern Sarawak

Julaihi (seated in the excavator) along with (from right) Liwan, Maselni and Hamzah after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the Samarindah Elevated Water Tank project on June 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KOTA SAMARAHAN, June 30: The RM30.4 million Samarindah High-Level Water Tank construction project, comprising two elevated water tanks with a combined storage capacity of nine million litres and 4.5 kilometres of trunk pipelines, is set to benefit residents of Samarindah and surrounding areas while strengthening the water supply system in Sarawak’s southern region.

Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the project, which commenced today and is scheduled for completion in May 2027, represents a strategic investment by the Sarawak government to enhance the reliability and resilience of water supply infrastructure in the fast-growing Kota Samarahan area.

“The implementation of the Samarindah water tank project is highly significant and timely. It is one of the Sarawak government’s strategic investments in strengthening the water supply system in the southern region of Sarawak,” he said in his text speech when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the project today.

According to Julaihi, the project involves the construction of two elevated water tanks, each with a capacity of 4.5 million litres, along with the installation of 4.5km of trunk pipelines and related infrastructure works.

He explained that the new facilities would not only increase treated water storage capacity but also play a crucial role in ensuring the water distribution system operates more efficiently, stably and sustainably.

“Once completed, the project is expected to improve the stability of water supply pressure, strengthen the reliability of the distribution network and ensure a more consistent supply of water, particularly for Samarindah and other rapidly developing areas nearby,” he said.

Julaihi noted that the project was designed with long-term needs in mind, taking into account population growth, new housing developments, educational institutions, commercial areas and other ongoing and future developments in the locality.

He said the project reflected the Sarawak government’s proactive approach in ensuring utility infrastructure development keeps pace with the State’s economic and population growth.

Highlighting the government’s broader commitment to water supply development in Samarahan Division, Julaihi revealed that a total of 99 water supply projects worth more than RM852 million have been planned and implemented in the division to date.

Of these, 68 projects have been completed under various initiatives, including the 11th, 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans (13MP), Projek Rakyat, the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) and State’s alternative funding mechanisms.

“Another eight projects are currently under implementation, with four progressing according to schedule and four ahead of their original timelines,” he said.

Meanwhile, 21 new projects are in the planning stage to ensure water supply infrastructure development continues to support Samarahan’s rapid expansion.

Julaihi said a significant portion of the investment comprises strategic projects under 13MP valued at more than RM327 million, in addition to 26 Projek Rakyat initiatives worth nearly RM494 million that directly benefit local communities.

“This clearly demonstrates that water supply development in Samarahan is not a short-term effort but part of the Sarawak government’s continuous development agenda to ensure the people enjoy better, more stable and more resilient water services,” he said.

On the State’s long-term water security plans, Julaihi disclosed that Sarawak’s current water demand stands at approximately 2,300 million litres per day and is projected to rise to 3,500 million litres per day by 2030.

To meet future demand, he said the Sarawak government is actively developing an integrated water supply grid system encompassing water intakes, treatment plants, storage tanks, booster pump stations and interconnected trunk pipelines across the region.

“The Sarawak Water Grid System will be implemented in phases to connect the Southern, Central and Northern Regions, enhancing the resilience of Sarawak’s water supply system while enabling supply capacity to be shared between regions whenever necessary,” he added.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Brahim, permanent secretary of the Ministry Datu Jafri Lias, Sarawak Water acting chief executive officer Maselni Jamal, Deputy Resident of Samarahan Division Rais Ahmat, and Samarahan District Officer Ahmad Abdul Razak. — DayakDaily