Simpang Pengkalan Jawa–Simpang Ukong water project set for October completion

Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang. Photo credit: UKAS

By DayakDaily Team

LIMBANG, June 14: The long-awaited water supply project from Simpang Pengkalan Jawa to Simpang Ukong, which will benefit residents in the Batu Danau area, is expected to be fully operational by October 2026 once testing and commissioning works are completed.

Batu Danau assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang said the project has been physically completed and is now undergoing final testing and commissioning before being handed over for full operation.

He added that affected residents can already submit applications to Sarawak Water to request household water connections.

He said this when officiating the Batu Danau Outreach Programme organised by the Political Secretary’s Office to the Sarawak Premier and the Limbang District Office at Dewan St Edmund’s Hall yesterday (June 13), as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).

According to him, the project is part of the government’s continuous efforts to expand access to basic infrastructure, particularly clean water supply, to improve the well-being of rural communities.

Meanwhile, Paulus also revealed that pipe-laying works for the Kuala Medalam water supply project are actively progressing to ensure more residents benefit from improved and continuous water access.

On electricity supply issues in Kampung Lubuk Bidai, he said the project under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, which was previously stalled due to funding constraints, is currently being re-evaluated.

He said he has requested Sarawak Energy through SESCO to provide cost estimates to enable the project to resume and be completed for the benefit of local residents.

He also noted that ongoing electricity supply disruptions faced by residents are expected to be fully resolved by early July 2026.

Apart from project updates, the outreach programme also served as a platform to enhance public understanding of various policies, initiatives and programmes introduced by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government under the leadership of Premier Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Paulus said better understanding of government policies would enable the people to fully utilise available assistance and opportunities to improve their quality of life. — DayakDaily