Sarawak firm wins exclusive Malaysia pipeline tech rights, kicks off Perak pilot

Frank Wee

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 29: A Sarawak-based water technology company has taken a bold step into Malaysia’s water infrastructure space after securing exclusive nationwide rights to deploy an advanced pipeline diagnostic system aimed at tackling ageing pipes and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses.

Insights Analytics Berhad has been appointed the sole Malaysian distributor and deployer of p-CAT™, a proprietary pipeline condition assessment technology developed by Australian firm Pipeline Inspection & Assessment.

According to a press release, the appointment was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies, marking a strategic push to introduce non-destructive, in-pipe diagnostics into Malaysia’s utility ecosystem.

As an immediate rollout, the company has already commenced Malaysia’s first p-CAT™ pilot deployment with Lembaga Air Perak, covering about seven kilometres of water pipelines in Perak.

“p-CAT™ is a non-destructive, in-pipe diagnostic technology that enables utility operators to assess the structural condition of pipelines without service disruption.

“The technology delivers high-accuracy data on wall thickness degradation, corrosion levels and estimated remaining asset life, supporting more informed asset management and rehabilitation planning.

“The pilot is expected to provide valuable insights into the condition of ageing water infrastructure, enabling utility operators to identify structural vulnerabilities, prioritise rehabilitation works and optimize maintenance expenditure,” it said.

Malaysia’s water sector continues to grapple with persistent NRW losses, where treated water is lost through leaks, burst pipes and system inefficiencies before reaching consumers. Industry players have repeatedly flagged the need for more precise, data-driven tools to prioritise rehabilitation works and reduce financial losses.

Against this backdrop, the Sarawak-linked company’s move is seen as a significant entry point into a market increasingly pressured to modernise ageing infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.

Managing Director of Insights Analytics, Frank Wee, said the partnership strengthens the company’s mission to introduce world-class diagnostic tools into Malaysia’s water industry.

“This partnership marks a significant step in our mission to bring world-class pipeline diagnostic technology to Malaysia.

“With p-CAT™ now exclusively under Insights Analytics’ distribution, we are well-positioned to support utilities and regulators in addressing NRW challenges while advancing the nation’s water infrastructure agenda,” he said.

He added that the Perak pilot reflects the company’s commitment to practical deployment rather than concept-level adoption.

“The commencement of Malaysia’s first p-CAT™ pilot deployment demonstrates our commitment to introducing innovative technologies that help water operators make smarter infrastructure investment decisions.

“We believe this collaboration will create meaningful value for the country’s water sector through improved asset visibility, enhanced operational efficiency and more sustainable water management practices,” he stressed.

From the technology provider side, Vice President of International Partnerships (Asia) at PIA, Shazlee Kabeer, said Malaysia represents a key growth market for advanced pipeline diagnostics.

“We are proud to formalise our partnership with Insights Analytics, whose deep local expertise and technical capabilities make them the ideal partner to bring p-CAT™ to the Malaysian market,” he said.

He added that the Perak pilot will serve as a foundation for broader adoption nationwide.

“The ongoing pilot deployment with Lembaga Air Perak is an encouraging first step, and we look forward to working together to support water utilities across Malaysia with advanced pipeline condition assessment solutions,” he emphasised.

Insights Analytics, which is listed on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market, operates through its subsidiary Insights Analytics Technologies Sdn Bhd, offering smart water solutions including leak detection systems, smart metering, pipeline assessment and digital twin technology.

While the first deployment is taking place in Peninsular Malaysia, industry observers say the development could have longer-term implications for states like Sarawak, where rural and ageing water infrastructure continues to challenge operators despite ongoing upgrades.

As Malaysia pushes to reduce NRW losses nationwide, the introduction of high-precision, non-invasive pipeline diagnostics marks another step towards data-driven water management — and places a Sarawak-linked player at the centre of that shift. — DayakDaily