RM6.6m spent on drinking water aid during dry spell

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has spent RM6.636 million on drinking water assistance for residents affected by the dry spell across the state.

Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said 492,671 bottles of 1.5-litre drinking water were distributed to 204,365 people between August and Sept 14.

She said the figures reflected the scale of efforts undertaken to ensure affected communities continued to have access to drinking water during the dry spell.

“You can imagine how much manpower was needed just to carry all these boxes of drinking water.

“The Social Welfare Department (JKMS) would like to thank our strategic partners for helping to ensure those in need received adequate drinking water,” she said.

Fatimah said this during the ministry and its agencies’ 2025 Excellent Service Awards ceremony at a hotel here today (Sept 18).

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), water deliveries were still ongoing at 68 locations as of 6pm on Sept 17.

The operations involved 1,494 families comprising 6,624 people.

Areas receiving water supplies that day included Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah and Bintulu, covering villages, longhouses and a clinic.

Fatimah said the relief operations were carried out with support from strategic partners including Rumah Panjang Volunteers, the Civil Defence Force (APM), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).