Upgrading of Salim plant to end to Sibu’s water woes, says Bawang Assan rep

SIBU (Aug 1): Folks here can expect an end to the constant water supply disruptions upon the completion of upgrading works at the Salim Water Treatment Plant in 2026, said Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

The Bawang Assan assemblyman, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior-vice president, said the water supply issues here are mainly caused by the nature of Sibu’s soil.

“The movement of the sinking ground in the peat soil areas (peat subsidence) will cause the (old) water pipes buried underground to break. For that, Sibu Water Board (SWB) is experiencing 46 per cent of water loss,” he told reporters after a dialogue session with SWB officials.

“We understand that SWB and the state government are trying their best to resolve this issue, but it will take time,” he added, citing the federal government’s authority on water supply matters.

Wong said Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Perak and other states in the peninsula are also facing the same issue, but they are directly under federal jurisdiction.

In this regard, he said the Sarawak government is trying its best to assist, hence why Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has pumped a lot of money particularly to Sibu to resolve the issue.

For his constituency, Wong said he was informed by SWB officials of its plan to build two high-rise water tanks at Jalan Ling Chu Ming, and another one at the longhouse area in Bawang Assan.

With the upgrading of Salim Water Treatment Plant to increase its production capacity and the changing of old water pipes, he deemed these initiatives as vital to resolving Sibu’s water woes.

“At the moment, the water supply is just sufficient for everyone and therefore, we ought to use water prudently.”

Also present at the dialogue session were political secretary to the Premier, Joshua Ting; PDP Dudong branch chairman Datuk Teo Boon Siew; and local community leaders.